“Virginia State Police is investigating a double fatal crash that occurred on Saturday (Aug. 17, 2024) at 8:47 p.m. on Route 29 northbound at the intersection with Irish Road in Nelson County.
A 2024 Freightliner Cascadia was heading northbound on Route 29 when it was unable to avoid striking a 2011 Chevrolet Aveo which had entered the intersection.
The driver of the Aveo, Samantha L. Lively, 22, of Barboursville, Va., died at the scene. A passenger, Heather E. Lively, 19, of Covesville, Va., was taken to UVA Health where she later succumbed to her injuries.
The driver of the Freightliner was not injured.
The crash remains under investigation.
Matthew Demlein
Public Relations Manager
Virginia State Police”
Original post
“Virginia State Police is investigating a fatal crash involving a tractor trailer and a vehicle that occurred last night (Aug. 17, 2024) on Route 29 northbound near the intersection with Irish Road in Nelson County.
The initial call was made to State Police at approximately 8:57 p.m.
There was at least one fatality and at least one reported injury in this crash.
Matthew Demlein
Public Relations Manager
Virginia State Police”
Latest update from VSP at 1:20 PM – 8.12.24
“Three people (two men and a woman) were ejected from the van and died at the scene. They have been identified as Abner Comete, 48, of Boynton Beach, Fla., Jacner Comete, 44, of Lauderhill, Fla., and Wilda Comete, 38, of Lithia Springs, Ga. Abner Comete is believed to be the driver of the passenger van.
A fourth passenger, Ronide P. Louis, 28, of Lithia Springs, Ga., who was in the front seat and wearing a seatbelt, survived. Louis was taken first to Augusta Health, and then to UVA Health with serious but non-life-threatening injuries.”
Latest update from VSP at 9:24 AM – 8.12.24
“Virginia State Police is investigating a triple fatal crash involving a passenger van and train that occurred at approximately 8:08 p.m. Monday (Aug. 12, 2024) on tracks near Wayne Avenue in the town of Stuarts Draft in Augusta County.
A 2019 Ford transit van was traveling along a private drive, heading towards Wayne Ave, when it crossed train tracks located in the area. A train travelling northbound on the tracks then struck the van, causing the van to roll over.
Three people (two men and a woman) were ejected from the van and died at the scene. A fourth passenger, who was in the front seat and wearing a seatbelt, survived. That passenger, a woman, was taken to UVA Health with serious but non-life-threatening injuries.
Virginia State Police is still working to notify next-of-kin.
The crash remains under investigation.
Matthew Demlein
Public Relations Manager
Virginia State Police“
As we first told you Monday night in this post below on our BRL Facebook page, a van that was hit by an oncoming train claimed the life of 3 people attempting to cross the tracks in a passenger van.
Virginia State Police released some preliminary information shortly after the crash, but didn’t confirm the fatalities at that time. We were able to independently confirm the deaths. Other news outlets were reporting the same.
We will have updates on this story throughout the day as they become available.
As expected heavy rains moved through the area Thursday night and Friday morning as what was left of Tropical Depression Debby shoved across the Blue Ridge.
Here’s just a small portion of what we’re seeing move on social media Friday.
#crozet road closed 680 the Mechams river is well out of its banks here and I suspect other places around Albemarle County ( this is just off the junction of 240 and 250 by Plaza Azteca ) great Mexican BTW! pic.twitter.com/VbigiMzuq0
Skys clearing today. Road troubles do not necessarily leave with the clouds. Downed trees, power lines and water-covered roadways remain. #VDOT & power crews are hard at work! Do not cross water-covered roads & stay away from downed power lines until crews make the area safe. pic.twitter.com/xGjUC5YzVB
Thursday morning Uttaro was sentenced to four life sentences in prison plus 25 years. Nelson County Commonwealth Attorney, Daniel Rutherford confirmed the sentencing to BRL just after noon.
What’s left of Tropical Depression Debby will be affecting most of Central Virginia from Thursday afternoon into early Friday evening. Skies go partly cloudy overnight Friday with sunshine and milder temps returning for Saturday and Sunday.
Between now and then heavy, sometimes flooding, rains can be expected. They arrive late Thursday afternoon into Friday afternoon.
In addition to flooding rains mentioned above, area power companies are preparing for some outages due to rains soaked ground with trees uprooting from breezy conditions as Debby blows through.
As Virginia prepares for Tropical Storm Debby, I declared a state of emergency to mobilize resources and equipment needed for response efforts. I urge all Virginians to stay informed and alert as this storm moves up the east coast. https://t.co/MdmTpOu1Uw
Tropical Storm Debby has the potential to create tornadoes, with the threat potentially lasting through the overnight hours. pic.twitter.com/MRYktNXP5D
— Virginia Department of Emergency Management (@VDEM) August 8, 2024
Locally Nelson County decided to postpone the start of school opening until next week.
We’ll continue to watch Debby as she moves through the area and update as necessary.
A little over two years ago we told you about the passing of Paul Saunders in this post. To say he was a Nelson County legend would be a gross understatement. Sadly, the Saunders Brothers family revealed that Paul’s wife, and the family matriarch Tatum Saunders, passed away last week on July 26, 2024.
There will be a celebratory remembrance held on Tuesday – July 30th at Saunders Brothers Market, followed by funeral services and burial on Wednesday – July 31st.
Mrs. Saunders’ complete obituary information is immediately below.
We are thinking of all of the Saunders family during this major time of change in their lives.
It was a long time coming but Wintergreen Fire & Rescue (WF&R) took delivery of their newest fire engine just a few weeks ago. “Engine 61 is a Pierce Enforcer which was ordered approximately three years ago. It’s your standard structural engine. We did add a light tower, which is something we have never had before,” WF&R Chief Curtis Sheets tells us.
Chief Sheets says the contract cost of the engine was $698,000.00. A new one today already costs over a million dollars. Roughly a 43% increase in just 3 years.
“It also has rigging attachment points on both sides and the rear. This will assist us with quick stabilization of unstable vehicles. This truck replaces a 28-year old engine which has been sold to Madison County for use as a reserve engine.”
“Our next pumper to go is our 21- year-old Engine 62. I asked Pierce to quote a replacement exactly like the one we just received. The price is 1.2M. With prices like that, this very well may be our last new engine.” Chief Curtis Sheets – WF&R
Youngsters and adults got the chance to look over all of the equipment and vehicles that WF&R uses. July 4, 2024
Other pieces of equipment were on display for everyone to see. July 4, 2024
WF&R Chief Curtis Sheets talks to folks that dropped by to see the new fire engine and other equipment on display during the 4th of July weekend 2024 at Wintergreen.
Updated : 7.23.24 6:22 PM : Boil Order Lifted
“Aqua says the precautionary boil water notice has been lifted from the Stoney Creek Village/Wintergreen Valley water system, effective immediately. All water samples came back negative, per state requirements, indicating the water is safe for drinking and normal use. It is no longer necessary to boil water before consumption.”
Earlier update to issue boil water alert: “WPOA has been notified by Aqua Va regarding the need to boil water secondary to a significant water main break yesterday. You may read their notice below:
WPOA is happy to forward notices such as this, however it should be noted that WPOA frequently is not provided timely and/or accurate information. Furthermore, the ultimate responsibility to communicate regarding utility outages rests with the service provider.
Stoney Creek Village Emergency Repair Update 07-20-2024
Aqua VA Emergency Repairs in Stoney Creek Village have been completed and the boil water advisory will remain in place until test results are received.
Aqua customers experienced periods of low pressure and outages in the distribution system due to an emergency repair. Periods of low or no pressure in the distribution system increases the potential for back siphonage and introduction of bacteria into the water system. Aqua, in conjunction with the VA Department of Health, is issuing a precautionary boil water notice for your area effective immediately due to the low water pressure.
Customers are advised to boil water for any consumption, including making ice or brushing teeth, for 1 full minute before any consumption. Boiling water is not necessary for showering or bathing. Be sure to bring the water to a full boil for 1 minute, then allow water to cool before normal use. Aqua is in the process of sending water samples to the lab for testing and will notify customers as soon the boil water notice is lifted. As soon we receive satisfactory test results, Aqua will contact you to lift this advisory. Aqua anticipates results by 07-23-2024
We thank our customers for their patience while we address this issue – we will continue to keep you updated.
End of notice.”
(Original Post 7.19.24)
Some folks in the Stoney Creek area of Nellysford were being affected by a water main rupture just before noon on Friday. According to Stoney Creek resident, Bill Howard, the break is on Monacan Drive near Foothills.
“According to one member of the repair crew, the break caused the main tank on the mountain to drain, and it will take many hours for the tank to refill. (See clarification down below on mountain tank) Until the tank refills, all Stoney Creek Aqua water customers may expect low water pressure. Stoney Creek Aqua water customers north and west of the intersection of Monocan and Stone Chimneys will be without water until the broken main is replaced. The repair crew could not provide an estimate of when water would again be available to those customers.”
Photo courtesy of Bill Howard : Crews with Stoney Creek Aqua work to repair a broken water main on Monocan Drive near the intersection of Foothills Drive. Friday – July 19, 2024
At least one other Stoney Creek resident we talked to said their water had come back on just before 12 noon.
WPOA Deputy Director Curtis Sheets tells us the water tank feeding the valley is not on the mountain but rather on Hearthstone. “There was a separate water main failure on the mountain which did drain a tank last night. Nelson County Service Authority crews worked through the night and they’re filling the tank now. Neither of the leaks were connected.”
This story has been updated on July 17, 2024 at 10:42 AM with name of the deceased.
“Virginia State Police is investigating a fatal single vehicle crash that occurred on Norwood Road in Nelson County.
At 4:30 p.m. on Sunday (July 14, 2024), Virginia State Troopers were notified of a crash in the 5700 block of Norwood Road that resulted in a 2005 Dodge Caravan overturning in a nearby creek. The Caravan was driving southbound on Norwood Road when it went off of the left side of the road, through multiple trees, down an embankment, and into the creek.
The exact time of the crash is unknown, as the vehicle was not visible from the roadway. State Police troopers believe it occurred between 9 p.m. on Saturday (July 13, 2024) and 4:30 p.m. on Sunday (July 14, 2024).
The driver, Shania F. Hawley, 22, of Gladstone, Va., died at the scene. She was not wearing a seatbelt.
Anyone who may recall having seen a Dodge Caravan traveling on Norwood Road during those hours or has any information related to this crash is encouraged to contact the Virginia State Police at 540-444-7778 or by email at questions@vsp.virginia.gov.
The crash remains under investigation.
Matthew Demlein
Public Relations Manager
Virginia State Police”
From VSP:
“Virginia State Police is investigating a fatal single vehicle crash that occurred at approximately 4:31 p.m. on Sunday (July 14, 2024) on Norwood Road in Nelson County.
There was one fatality.
The crash remains under investigation.
Matthew Demlein
Public Relations Manager
Virginia State Police”
“Virginia State Police is investigating a fatal motorcycle crash that occurred at 7:46 p.m. Sunday (July 14, 2024) on Rockfish Valley Highway in Nelson County.
A 2017 Harley-Davidson FXDLS was heading northbound on Rockfish Valley Highway, at the intersection with Glenthorne Loop, when the motorcycle went off of the right side of the road, struck the roadbed of Glenthorne Loop, went airborne, and struck a guardrail.
The driver of the motorcycle, Francis M. Saunders, III, 43, of Nellysford, Va., was thrown from the motorcycle. He was transported to an area hospital where he later died of his injuries. Saunders was wearing a helmet.
The crash remains under investigation.
Matthew Demlein
Public Relations Manager
Virginia State Police”
Original release at 11:10 AM – 7.16.24
“Virginia State Police is investigating a fatal motorcycle crash that occurred at approximately 8:10 p.m. Sunday (July 14, 2024) on Glenthorne Loop in Nelson County.
There was one fatality.
The crash remains under investigation.
This is all the information I have to release at this time.
Matthew Demlein
Public Relations Manager
Virginia State Police“
