Man Loses Life On Nelson Route 56 In Storm Related Sequence Of Events : 11.12.09

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Photos By Ray Uttaro : ©2009 www.nelsoncountylife.com : Crews worked to clear VA Route 56 Thursday morning after a tree fell across the road setting off a sequence of events that caused a fatal accident. Click any photo to enlarge.
Photos By Ray Uttaro : ©2009 www.nelsoncountylife.com : Crews worked to clear VA Route 56 Thursday morning after a tree fell across the road setting off a sequence of events that caused a falal accident. Click any photo to enlarge.

Piney River
Nelson County, Virginia

An Amherst County man lost his life early Thursday morning in a sequence of events that initially started out because of the recent heavy rains and wind in the Nelson area. According Virginia State Trooper, AT Covey, Al Fleming, was driving his Ford pickup east on Route 56 in Piney River around 4:30 AM Thursday morning. Apparently a tree had fallen across the road as a result of the heavy rains and wind. “It’s believed after Fleming hit the tree in the road, he got out to inspect the damage to his truck, ” Trooper Covey told NCL by phone Thursday afternoon.

While Mr. Fleming was apparently inspecting the damage, the driver of a semi also eastbound on Route 56 approached the first accident scene which Trooper Covey said was on the Tye River bridge in a curve. “The driver of the semi told me he saw the truck and the other debris in the road and made a quick decision to avoid hitting the stalled truck by crossing over into the westbound lane,” Trooper Covey continued. Trooper Covey says that is when Mr. Fleming was hit by the semi as he swerved to miss his pickup in the highway.

Mr. Fleming's Ford pickup sitting in the road where the accident occurred early Thursday morning.
Mr. Fleming's Ford pickup sitting in the road where the accident occurred early Thursday morning.

According to reports from Nelson County Emergency services, Route 56 was blocked off for about 3.5 hours while the vehicles were removed and the trees cleaned up.

The semi involved in Thursday's tragic accident.
The semi involved in Thursday's tragic accident.

Several agencies including, Piney River Fire Department, Lovingston Fire Department, Nelson Rescue, Nelson County Sheriff’s Office and Virginia State Police were involved in the investigation and cleanup.

The very large tree and associated debris that started the sequence of events leading to the fatal accident.
The very large tree and associated debris that started the sequence of events leading to the fatal accident.

Trooper Covey tells NCL no charges have been filed in the accident.

Mr. Fleming was an independent driver for Saunder Brothers in Piney River and was on his way in to pick up a load for the day’s deliveries.

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