THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, May 24, 1996 TAG: 9605240579
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B3 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY MIKE MATHER, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: VIRGINIA BEACH LENGTH: 48 lines
Police sorting out a three-vehicle accident Thursday ran into an unexpected problem when they found large-caliber military ammunition scattered throughout the crash debris.
The discovery forced police to close part of Princess Anne Road near the intersection of Edwin Drive, where the crash happened. Traffic was detoured onto Edwin Drive for several hours.
The police bomb squad was called as a precaution, and officers removed the live shells.
Police did not say what kind of ammunition they found, but did say the shells were far larger than would be fired from a handgun or rifle.
Police said they did not know why the live shells were among the pickup truck's cargo.
The driver of the pickup carrying the ammunition was badly hurt and taken to Sentara Norfolk General Hospital. Police were not sure if the man was a member of the military. One officer said he thought the man was a contractor who worked jobs for the military.
Police did not release his name because his family had not been notified.
Police said they would notify Navy investigators of the find.
An occupant of a second car was also taken to the hospital, but that person's condition wasn't immediately available. A person in a third car involved in the accident wasn't hurt.
The crash happened around 7:15 p.m. Police spokesman Lou Thurston said the pickup truck was traveling east on Princess Anne Road when it somehow crossed the median. It struck two cars traveling in the westbound lanes.
The pickup was badly damaged, and, police said, the driver appeared the most seriously hurt of those involved.
Police said the pickup truck driver had been drinking, which was a factor in the crash.
The truck came to rest on a church lawn. Tools, letters, car parts, a spare tire, a camper shell and the live shells were strewn over the grass.
One witness said he thought the driver of the truck was thrown from the vehicle.
Charges are pending, police said. ILLUSTRATION: Photo
L. TODD SPENCER
Virginia Beach police search the ground at the site of the wreck for
any remaining rounds of ammunition Thursday night.
KEYWORDS: ACCIDENT TRAFFIC EXPLOSIVES INJURIES by CNB