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.
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.
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.
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.
