THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, March 3, 1996 TAG: 9603030049
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B4 EDITION: FINAL
DATELINE: VIRGINIA BEACH LENGTH: Short : 36 lines
A wrecker driver who had stopped to check on a trailer he was towing was hit by a passing car and critically injured late Friday, police said.
James W. Aven, 27, of the 1500 block of Chatham Court, remained in critical condition Saturday night in the Trauma Center at Virginia Beach General Hospital. The driver for Best Way Towing Inc. of the 2300 block of West Great Neck Road suffered severe head injuries.
Police said Aven was westbound on Shore Drive about 9:55 p.m. when he began experiencing problems with the trailer he was towing.
Aven pulled onto the grassy shoulder of the road, near Jade Street and got out to check the problem, but part of the trailer apparently was still on the edge of the road.
Mike Carey, a police spokesman, said Aven did not activate the yellow caution lights atop the truck but did turn on spotlights facing the rear of his truck. Those lights also were shining into oncoming traffic.
Moments later, as he stood beside the trailer, a 1985 Cadillac sideswiped the edge of the trailer and struck Aven.
No one in the car, driven by Glendon E. Grandstaff, 39, of the 1300 block of Hillock Crossing, was hurt.
An 11-week-old baby in the car was secured properly in a child-safety seat, police said.
Although the accident is under investigation, police said no charges are expected. Neither speed nor alcohol were factors in the wreck.
KEYWORDS: ACCIDENT TRAFFIC INJURIES by CNB