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Friends remember ‘selfless’ teen killed in late-night Chesterfield crash

Posted at 6:53 AM, Oct 10, 2014
and last updated 2014-10-10 19:02:53-04

CHESTERFIELD COUNTY, Va. -- A 19-year-old driver was killed in an late-night crash on Beach Road when he lost control of his car and an hit an on-coming SUV, according to Chesterfield Police.

Police identified the teenager as Mark L. Talley, of Devette Terrace. Talley was not wearing a seat belt, police said.

"Talley was traveling east on Beach Road when his 1996 Toyota Camry went off the left side of the road and over corrected, causing the vehicle to turn sideways," Chesterfield Police wrote in an email. "The vehicle reentered the road and was struck by a 2006 Mazda Tribute that was traveling west."

Talley was pronounced dead on the scene. The woman driving the SUV was taken to the hospital with non-life threatening injuries.

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Friends stopped by the crash site Friday to spend a few minutes thinking about their friend.

The 19 year old is being remembered for his smile. But more importantly, as the friend that could always be counted on.

"He was a kid who was there for you whenever you needed it. You call, he answered. He'd do everything he could to help,” Matt Maner, a friend of Talley’s said.

And talking to his friends, you quickly discover a common thread about Talley.

"You couldn't never be mad at him, he always had a smile on his face,” Kevin Greenawalt, another of Talley’s friends, said. “He was a great guy, he had the biggest heart of a kid I know."

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The crash, which happened just before  midnight, closed Beach Road between Riverway Road and Brandy Oaks Drive, until about 5 a.m.

Beach Road has seen its share of bad accidents and fatalities, including three teens killed in a single car crash in 2000.

Sally Hinski, who lives off Beach Road, believes there is a common factor.

"I think that people drive too fast, especially around the corners,” Hinski said.

Investigators said speed may have played a role in this crash, however the investigation remained ongoing.

VDOT officials said there have been recent improvements to Beach Road, including a project  last year to widen the pavement and improve the shoulder.

Additionally, VDOT officials said seven accidents reported in the area of Thursday night’s accident between 2011 and 2013.

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