A beloved Rocky Mount Elementary teacher was killed earlier this week when two vehicles collided on US Route 220 near Boones Mill. Forty-nine year old, Dona Minnick was traveling north on the highway when a Dodge SUV crossed the median and struck the Nissan Versa she was driving. Ms. Minnick died at scene of the accident at around 4pm on Tuesday afternoon.
The driver of the Dodge SUV, a 56 year old Lesley Wildasin, from Eden, NC was taken to Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital with non-life threatening injuries. She was charged with reckless driving on the day of the accident, but that charged was dropped. Investigators have reported that they found a nearly empty box of wine and some medication in the passenger seat of the Dodge. Wildasin admits that she drank two glasses of wine prior to the accident and had also taken some medication. According to a Roanoke Times report, Wildasin also stated that she did not know she had been in an accident until she realized her airbags had deployed. As of the time of this posting, no additional charges had been filed.
A Roanoke EMS Firefighter was killed at approximately 6:50 am this morning in an accident at the 4700 block of Brambleton Road. Jesse Daniel Clingenpeel was driving a silver Jeep and turning left onto Roselawn when he collided with another vehicle making a left turn onto Ranchcrest. Witnesses have reported that the Jeep rolled over several times and Clingenpeel was thrown from the vehicle. He has taken to Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital where he later died.
Tragic deaths and serious injuries are common in the United States. In the U.S. 32,719 people willed killed in car accidents in 2013.
If you have lost someone in a tragic accident due to the negligence of someone else, you need to talk to a personal injury lawyer. Call The Thomson Law Firm today to schedule a free consultation. (540) 777-4900
