WPD report the first traffic fatality since 2018
The Winchester Police Department (WPD) report the first traffic fatality in the City of Winchester since November 2018.
The incident was reported Jan. 8 at approximately 6:35 when authorities responded to a report of a traffic crash involving a motorcycle.
On arrival Winchester fire and rescue personnel began treatment and then transportation of the victim to Winchester Medical Center.
It was at the Medical Center where 25 year old Austin D. Ponsart of Warrenton succumbed to his injuries and died.
Witnesses report that Ponsart was traveling on his 2022 Harley Davidson motorcycle at a high rate of speed eastbound on Woodstock Lane.
Ponsart lost control of the vehicle and struck a telephone pole.
The Virginia State Police continue to assist the Winchester Police Department in the investigation.
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VSP investigate a fatal accident in Frederick County
Virginia State Police (VSP) continue to investigate a fatal single vehicle accident in Frederick County.
A 2002 Jeep Grand Cherokee was traveling south on Back Mountain Road near Mountain Falls Boulevard when it crossed the solid yellow centerline ran off the left side of the road and collided with a fence and tree before turning over.
An email from VSP’s Public Information Officer Sergeant Brent Coffey confirms that the driver of the jeep 51-year-old Melinda K. Powell and passenger 76-year-old Clarke J. Powell both of Winchester died at the scene.
Neither victim was wearing a seatbelt.
A unidentified 40-year-old male passenger of the jeep from Star Tannery was transported to Winchester Medical Center for treatment of minor injuries.
The exact cause of the accident is still being investigated and still to be determined.
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VSP ask for the public’s help in fatal accident investigation
The Virginia State Police (VSP) report by email that they continue to investigate an accident in Fauquier County on Sun. Aug. 28.
The fatal accident occurred around 2 p.m. when a Freightliner Tractor Trailer collided with a Harley Davidson motorcycle at the intersection of Route 17 and 29.
A 77 year old unidentified rider of the motorcycle from Bealeton Virginia was killed in the collision.
The 64 year old unidentified driver of the tractor trailer from Sterling Virginia was uninjured in the accident.
VSP are asking anyone who may have witnessed the accident or perhaps have security footage of the incident to please contact authorities.
If you have any security footage from around 2 p.m. Sun. afternoon Aug. 28 please review the footage for any helpful information on the incident.
Contact Trooper D. Garasimowicz at 540-347-6200 or area12@vsp.virginia.gov with any information.
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VSP seek information on a fatal Warren County incident
Virginia State Police (VSP) report they are seeking the public’s help involving a fatal pedestrian accident on Interstate 66 in Warren County.
The incident occurred Sunday morning at approximately 3 o’clock near the exit 13 mile marker 14 location near Linden.
About a mile east of the Linden Front Royal exit a pedestrian was struck by a vehicle.
The striking vehicle pulled over immediately and remained at the scene.
Another vehicle was already on the shoulder with two Hispanic males standing outside of it.
When the driver of the striking vehicle approached the males they got into their 4 door sedan and drove off.
The struck pedestrian died at the scene and has been transported to the Office of the Medical Examiner for positive identification and autopsy.
Identification on the struck person shows a male Hispanic in his mid 20’s possibly Honduran.
It is possible the victim was in the sedan prior to being struck.
Anyone with any information or witnessed the incident or can identify the victim is asked to contact Authorities.
You can call the VSP by dialing #77 540-829-7766 or email questions@vsp.virginia.gov with any information.
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VSP investigate a fatal accident in Fauquier County
Virginia State Police (VSP) are investigating a two vehicle fatal accident that occurred Sat. May 7 in Fauquier County.
An email from Sergeant Brent Coffey confirms that Miss. Shenandoah County Fair 2015 and 2016’s Miss. Virginia Association of Fairs Pageant winner Jensen B. Hoover was killed in the accident.
The VSP investigation indicates that Hoover’s vehicle traveling east on Route 50 in Fauquier County crossed the double yellow center line and collided head on with a vehicle heading west.
The 29 year old Hoover from Winchester suffered life threatening injuries and was transported to Winchester Medical Center.
It was at the hospital where she succumbed to her injuries and passed away.
The unidentified 34 year old driver of the west bound vehicle from Upperville suffered life threatening injuries and transported to INOVA Hospital in Fairfax.
Three children in the Upperville vehicle were also transported to the hospital with life threatening injuries.
The three children include a 5 year old female an 11 year and a 12 year old male.
All involved in the accident were wearing their safety belts.
The accident remains under investigation.
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Winchester woman killed in a hit and run incident
Frederick News Post reports a Winchester woman was killed and two others were injured when an SUV flipped over on Route 340 in Frederick County Maryland.
Maryland State Police report that a silver jeep liberty made an aggressive lane change that caused the accident according to the article.
The driver of the jeep did not stop but witnesses were able to provide a description and plate number.
The owner of the vehicle told police his son was operating the jeep at the time of the incident.
The accident killed 48 year old Shannon Kephart of Winchester who was in the SUV that flipped over.
The driver of the SUV, 61 year old Dean Kephart of Harpers Ferry was taken to the Maryland Shock Trauma Center.
A passenger of the SUV, 68 year old Cathy Cyrus was flown to the Shock Trauma Center.
Two truck drivers who witnessed the crash said they saw the SUV serve to avoid the jeep go airborne and flip over.
The Maryland State Attorney’s Office is reviewing the accident and will determine what if any charges will be filed.
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VSP investigates fatal crash in Fauquier County
Virginia State Police are investigating a fatal two car crash from Tuesday evening in Fauquier County.
The accident occurred along Grove Lane when a Honda CRV crossed the middle line and collided head-on with a Jeep Wrangler.
The driver of the CRV, Sandra Manuel of Delaplane, died at the scene.
Both the driver and passenger of the Jeep suffered life threatening injuries and were transported to INOVA Fairfax Hospital.
Both drivers and the passenger were wearing seat belts at the time of the accident.
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VSP investigate a fatal accident involving Boyce residents
An email from Virginia State Police (VSP) Public Information Officer Sergeant Brent Coffey confirmed the investigation of a fatal accident in Fauquier County.
The accident took the life of 57 year old Daniel F. Shomette of Boyce and sent his 58 year old wife to Winchester Medical Center.
Shomette’s wife Marcella sustained life threatening injuries in the accident.
The Shomette’s vehicle was struck by a vehicle driven by 67 year old Kevin Hagan of Gainesville.
Hagan reportedly crossed the solid center line while passing another vehicle when he collided head on with the Shomette’s vehicle.
Hagan who was treated at the scene for his injuries is facing a number of charges and is being held without bound in Fauquire County.
The charges Hagan is facing include driving under the influence, involuntary manslaughter and improper passing.
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VSP investigate a fatal Frederick County accident
An email from Public Information Officer Sergeant Brent Coffey of the Virginia State Police (VSP) confirms a fatal accident in Frederick County.
The incident accorded at the intersection of Rt. 50 and Gore Rd.
Donald Killian of Parkville Maryland attempted a left turn when he was struck by a vehicle from Mathias West Virginia.
The impact caused Killian’s vehicle to strike a third vehicle at a stop sign.
Carla Simmons of Mathias West Virginia died at the scene from her injuries.
Simmons’ driver had to be transported to Winchester Medical Center (WMC) for treatment of serious injuries.
No one in the vehicle from Mathias West Virginia was wearing a seatbelt.
Occupants of the other vehicles were wearing their safety belts with no other injuries reported.
Killian has been charged with reckless driving.
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VSP investigate a two vehicle fatal accident in Shenandoah County
An email from Virginia State Police (VSP) Sergeant Brent Coffey reports that Troopers are investigating a two vehicle fatal accident in Shenandoah County.
30 year old Jacob W. Crowder of Strasburg suffered life threatening injuries and succumbed to his injuries after being transported to the hospital.
Crowder entered Interstate 81 in the wrong direction when he collided head on with a Winchester driver.
The 40 year unidentified Winchester driver suffered non life threatening injuries in the crash.
Both drivers were wearing their safety belts.
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