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One person died and the investigation is ongoing into a traffic accident that took place Sunday night in Buckingham County. The incident happened on Route 15, at roughly around 8:20 p.m., according to Virginia State Police Public Relations Director Matthew Demlein. 

At that time, a 2002 Ford F150 was traveling southbound on Route 15, near the intersection with Buckingham Centre Drive. The vehicle’s driver said they were unable to avoid a pedestrian who was walking in the southbound lane. The pedestrian was not wearing reflective clothing, State Police officials say. 

That pedestrian has since been identified as 57-year-old Charlottesville resident Tony Frazier. Frazier died at the scene. Virginia State Police say the driver of the F150 was not injured and there are no charges pending. 

A new chairman for Prince Edward 

As part of their Tuesday, Jan. 14 meeting, Prince Edward supervisors selected a chairman and vice chair to serve this year. District 2 supervisor Bill Jenkins was unanimously approved in the chairman role, with District 1 supervisor Harrison Jones as vice chair. Prince Edward operates on a rotation system, with a new set of supervisors chosen every year for the roles. 

“I want to thank the board for the opportunity to serve as vice chair for this upcoming year, for the opportunity and the experience,” Jones said. “I’m excited for it and I thank you for it.” 

Jenkins also thanked his fellow board members, before saying it’s time to get to work. 

Buckingham airstrip goes to a hearing 

In Buckingham, supervisors on Monday, Jan. 13 agreed to send an airstrip request to a public hearing. The case involves a piece of land at 1467 Hundley Branch Road in Scottsville. Deborah Blake and her husband want to build an airplane hanger and grass airstrip. Deborah’s husband has a FAA private pilot license to fly single engine aircraft and her daughter is a 16-year-old student pilot who wants to fly commercial airplanes. To become a commercial pilot, one of the requirements is a thousand flight hours. 

If the airstrip project isn’t approved, the closest flight school where her daughter would have access to a plane is in Weyers Cave, at Blue Ridge Aviation. That’s more than an hour and a half away. With all the variables, figuring out how to get regular flight hours for the 16-year-old can be hit or miss. This would help fix that problem. 

The public hearing will be held on Monday, Feb. 10, during the 6 p.m. meeting. 

Speed studies worked on by VDOT

Buckingham County supervisors want to restrict truck traffic on Route 617. To do that however, you first need a study done by the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT). During the board’s Monday, Jan. 13 meeting, VDOT representative and district engineer Scott Frederick said he’s submitted the county’s request for a study at that intersection.  

“I’ve got it submitted and they’re working on it,” Frederick said. “Based on how that goes, we may need to do a public hearing.” 

Also, Frederick told the board that a speed study on Route 649 is also being worked on, along with studies for Buffalo Springs and Bishop Creek.