Second passenger dies
Published 11:05 pm Thursday, July 14, 2011
A second passenger has died following a Saturday morning traffic accident that occurred after police say the driver fled a traffic stop.
Laverne Samala Crowell, 36, succumbed to her injuries Wednesday evening at Sentara Norfolk General Hospital. Her last known address was in the 1100 block of 25th Street in Newport News.
According to city spokeswoman Debbie George, a police officer stopped a 1992 Toyota in the 1500 block of Holland Road just before 1 a.m. Saturday for a traffic violation. The driver initially stopped, George said, but then took off westbound as the officer exited his vehicle.
The officer broadcast the vehicle description and followed in the direction the vehicle fled.
Officers discovered debris in the roadway in the 6400 block of Holland Road, just outside downtown Holland. They found that the vehicle had left the roadway, struck a guardrail and then a tree.
Keiska Thornhill, 36, of Franklin, died at the scene. The driver, Cornell A. Richardson, of Drewryville, was found to have an outstanding felony warrant in Southampton County, George said.
He has been discharged from Sentara Norfolk General Hospital.
As with all fatal vehicle accidents, the Suffolk Police Department will confer with the commonwealth’s attorney’s office to determine what, if any, charges will be placed, George said.