Police identify the two victims of fiery Danville car crash

Investigators say speed was a factor

(WSLS 10)

DANVILLE, Va.UPDATE (Oct. 5, 2021)

The Danville Police Department has identified the two people who died in a car crash on Sept. 4.

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Officials said the driver, 54-year-old Brian Odell Bowden, of Danville, and the passenger, 49-year-old Leanette Renee Tharp, were killed in the single-vehicle crash.

Further investigation discovered the car was traveling between 79 mph and 92 mph at the intersection of Piney Forest Road and Seminole Trail at the time of the crash before Bowden struck a telephone pole.

The car went up in flames before authorities arrived at the scene and the two were pronounced dead at the scene.

According to police, their next-of-kin were notified.


ORIGINAL STORY

Danville police say two people are dead after a car crash Saturday morning.

At approximately 7:55 AM, Danville Police officers responded to the intersection of Piney Forest Road and Seminole Trail for a single-vehicle accident. Officers found a four-door Nissan sedan engulfed in flames upon arrival. Police say the two occupants of the vehicle were pronounced dead at the scene. The bodies will be sent the Medical Examiners Office for identification.

According to police, the initial investigation shows the vehicle was traveling northbound on Piney Forest Road at a high rate of speed, left the roadway and hit two telephone poles before the fire broke out.

Officers are on scene investigating the accident this morning.


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