News

Actions

‘Dangerous’ stretch of Chesterfield road claims another life

Posted at 11:06 PM, Nov 10, 2016
and last updated 2016-11-10 23:21:03-05

CHESTERFIELD COUNTY, Va. -- There have been a number of violent and deadly crashes in the 21000 block of Hull Street Road.

And many of the cars land in the Beulah Baptist Cemetery or the adjacent parking lot.

"We have skid marks and auto parts out here on any given week, mostly because people speed around that corner,” said Pastor Larry Thompson.

21000 block of Hull Street Road

21000 block of Hull Street Road

About 150 yards away on the westbound side of 360 towards Amelia, tragically another young life was claimed.

"It's very difficult, what can you say to a family with other than to walk with them through this?" asked Thompson.

The family of 18-year-old Hunter Ward from Amelia County got the bad news late Wednesday night their loved one didn't make it.

Police say Ward ran off the road and hit a tree. He was not wearing a seat-belt.

Hunter Ward

Hunter Ward

Friends tell CBS 6, Ward was one of a kind.

They call him a “god-fearing” young man, who loved his family, loved his friends and loved his country. One friend says Ward was about to leave for Parris Island to become a Marine.

Nearby, a cross bears the name of a young girl who died in a car crash almost 10 years ago.

Thompson says there's a history of crashes at that spot, one that even caused them to move their sanctuary nearly 50 years ago.

crash-site

"Back in 1968 a car came off the road and slammed into our sanctuary,” said Thompson. “It was where we are standing now. It damaged it so bad we had to tear the church down and move it back off the road to where it is now."

V-DOT said they are looking through their call logs to see if the spot where Ward crashed is a place that needs improvements.

They say right across the street at dead man's curve, they have dropped the speed limit in recent years.

CBS 6 News is working for you. Click here to email a tip to the CBS 6 Problem Solvers. Be sure to leave us your name, phone number and detailed description of the problem. You can also leave a message by calling 804-254-3672.