• Incident: Fatal Traffic Crash
• Date of Incident: March 18, 2012 Time of Incident: 5:50 p.m.
• Location of Incident: Catawba Valley Drive/Route 311 near Dutch Oven Road
• Investigating Officer: Roanoke County Police Officer S. Chuyka
• Additional Remarks:
Roanoke County Police are investigating a fatal traffic crash that occurred at approximately 5:50 p.m. today. The crash involved three vehicles and took the life of 74-year-old Richard Lawrence, a prominent Roanoke area attorney. Lawrence was traveling south on Route 311 when his vehicle crossed the center line and struck the driver of a Trailblazer head-on, near Dutch Oven Road. The driver of the Trailblazer, who has not yet been identified, was taken to the hospital with non-life threatening injuries. The driver of a third vehicle (a Suburban), who was traveling behind the Trailblazer, was also involved in the crash but did not require transport to the hospital.
After Lawrence struck the Trailblazer, his vehicle (a Jeep) left the roadway and traveled down a slight embankment. Lawrence was pronounced dead at the scene. The investigation is continuing but, at this time, police do not believe alcohol and/or speed were factors in the crash.
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