THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, August 24, 1995 TAG: 9508240545
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B3 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: STAFF AND WIRE REPORTS
DATELINE: WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. LENGTH: Short : 41 lines
Three family members from Norfolk were killed early Tuesday on Interstate 40 when a tractor-trailer smashed into the back of their car, crushing and pushing it about 500 feet.
The collision sparked a fire that burned the inside of the family's Hyundai and the tractor-trailer cab. The wreck happened about 3:45 a.m. Tuesday.
Dead at the scene were Rodney Lynn Gatewood, 25; Tanya Yevette Gatewood, 27; and their 1-year-old son. They lived in the 1200 block of Pall Mall St. near the East Norview section of Norfolk.
Authorities said Rodney Gatewood was driving east on the highway when he apparently fell asleep. His car drifted to the right and grazed a tractor-trailer parked in the shoulder. The car bounced off the truck and stopped in the center lane, unable to move.
A tractor-trailer driven by Jerry Wayne Ring of Yadkinville then plowed into the car, crushing it.
Ring's cab was burned, but he got out and was not injured.
The Gatewood's neighbors were stunned by the news Wednesday afternoon.
``She was really a sweet person,'' Wanda Jackson said about Tanya Gatewood. ``She was someone who had a lot of heart. She really cared.''
Jackson, 32, said the Gatewoods were a polite family who ``never bothered anyone.''
Rodney Gatewood was recently discharged from the Navy, neighbors said.
Sheila Jamison, another neighbor, said the Gatewoods had lived in the neighborhood about five or six months. Tanya Gatewood was planning to start a new job this week, Jamison said.
``They were very lovely people,'' Jamison said. ``I just talked to both Sunday. This is just unbelievable.''
KEYWORDS: ACCIDENT TRAFFIC FATALITIES by CNB