Tuesday crash claims Farmville woman

Published 6:00 am Thursday, December 10, 2020

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This article has been updated from its original version

A Farmville woman died early Tuesday morning in a multiple-vehicle crash in Cumberland County.

The death is the second fatal auto accident to strike the community in the last two weeks.

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According to Virginia State Police (VSP) Public Relations Coordinator Shelby Crouch, troopers responded Tuesday, Dec. 8, at approximately 7:42 a.m. to a reported multiple-vehicle accident on Route 60 just west of Route 45 North (Cartersville Road).

A 2008 Mercury Milan driven by Jennifer L. Johnson, 32, of Farmville, was traveling east in a no-passing zone when the driver attempted to pass a 1994 Ford Ranger that was stopped in the lane.

Johnson moved into the westbound lane as a 2007 Kenworth tanker truck was approaching. Video obtained from the crash revealed that due to driver distraction, Johnson drifted over the center line and struck the rear of the Ford.  An oncoming tanker truck was unable to avoid the Milan as it crossed into its lane and stuck the front of it.

Johnson, who was wearing a seat belt, died at the scene.

The driver of the Ford Ranger, an occupant of the Ranger and the driver of the tanker truck were all sent to the hospital for treatment of minor injuries. The crash remains under investigation.

According to Cumberland Volunteer Fire Department officials, Anderson Highway was closed in both directions for approximately five hours while VSP investigated the incident. Detours were quickly set up at the intersections of Northfield Road and Old Buckingham Road.

The tragedy marks the second fatal car accident in the county in the last two weeks after a single-vehicle crash Monday, Nov. 30, took the life of 18-year-old Malachi McLean, of Cartersville.