THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Saturday, April 29, 1995 TAG: 9504290324
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B5 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: STAFF REPORT
DATELINE: CHINCOTEAGUE LENGTH: Short : 35 lines
Two women were killed Wednesday night in a head-on collision as one of the two drove east in the westbound lane of Route 175 near Chincoteague, state police said.
Michael P. Pedersen, his wife, Marthe S. Pedersen, and their three daughters were headed west in their 1989 Dodge Caravan when their minivan was struck head-on by a vehicle driven Crystal Kelley of Greenbackville.
Kelley was traveling east in the westbound lanes in her 1985 Chrysler Fifth Avenue.
State police said alcohol may have been a factor.
Kelley, 31, and Marthe Pedersen, 40, of Merrimack, N.H., were killed. Michael Pedersen, 41, was taken to a Baltimore hospital and was expected to recover from serious injuries.
Two Pedersen daughters, an 8-year-old and a 7-year-old, were listed in serious condition in a hospital. The third daughter, age 3, suffered minor injuries.
State police said the Dodge Caravan caught fire. The flames were extinguished by the Chincoteague, Wallops Island and Oak Hill fire departments.
Seatbelts were worn by all the adults and children. The toddler was strapped into a child safety seat.
KEYWORDS: ACCIDENT TRAFFIC FATALITY DEATH by CNB