Faber
Near Route 617/Rockfish River Road & US 29
Nelson County, Virginia
Verbatim updated release from VSP: 12.28.21
“Virginia State Police Trooper L.G. Pingley is investigating a fatal crash in Nelson County. The crash occurred Dec. 24, 2021 at 6 p.m. on Route 29, a few hundred feet south of Route 617/Rockfish River Road.
A 2012 Honda Odyssey minivan traveling north on Route 29 when it struck a deer in the travel lane. The crash investigation has determined that the Honda abruptly stopped due to the impact with the deer, a tractor-trailer traveling behind the minivan was unable to stop in time and rear-ended the minivan.
The driver of the Honda, Michael E. Mack, 44, of Taylorsville, N.C., was transported to a nearby hospital for treatment of minor injuries. He was wearing a seatbelt. There were four passengers riding in the minivan at the time of the crash:
• Shelly K. Mack, 44, of Taylorsville, N.C., was wearing a seatbelt and was transported to a nearby hospital for treatment of minor injuries.
• 8-year-old female passenger, who was wearing a seatbelt, was transported to UVA Medical Center, where she succumbed to her injuries on Dec. 25, 2021.
• 4-year-old male passenger, who was secured in a child safety seat, was transported to a nearby hospital for treatment of serious injuries.
• 6-year-old male passenger, who was secured in a booster seat, was transported to a nearby hospital for treatment of minor injuries.
The driver of the tractor-trailer, Hugh D. Powell, 62, of New Britain, Conn., was treated at the scene for minor injuries. He was wearing a seatbelt. The tractor-trailer was loaded with 42,000 lbs. of paper.
Charges are pending at this time.
In accordance with Code of Virginia 19.2-11.2 and due to the fact that charges are still pending, the deceased juvenile’s name cannot be publicly released.
Corinne N. Geller
Public Relations Director
Virginia State Police“
“At 6:06 p.m. on Dec. 24, 2021, Virginia State Police responded to a crash in which a Honda Odyssey minivan traveling along Route 29 struck a deer near Route 617/Rockfish River Road. As the Honda slowed due to the impact with the deer, a tractor-trailer traveling behind the minivan was unable to stop in time and rear-ended the minivan.
The Honda had a driver and four passengers. All five were injured, with an 8-year-old female sustaining life-threatening injuries. She was transported to UVA Medical Center, where she succumbed to her injuries Dec. 25, 2021.
The driver of the tractor-trailer, which was loaded with 42,000 pounds of paper, suffered non-life threatening injuries in the crash.
The crash remains under investigation at this time.
Corinne N. Geller
Public Relations Director
Virginia State Police”
My husband Steve and I drove through shortly after it happened Christmas Eve we were both in tears and praying because we knew from the scene it was bad both of us were in tears and praying for everyone involved our hearts break for the passing of the 8 year old girl.