Virginia State Police reported that the accident happened when traffic backed up on the exit ramp from I-495 West to I-95 South. To avoid hitting a car, the tractor trailer swerved onto the shoulder. At this point, it struck the woman’s car, then her, before moving back into the lane of traffic and colliding with another vehicle.

Sixty-eight year old Elizabeth P. Lyman of Fairhaven, Massachusetts was pronounced dead at the scene.

The exit ramp was closed for approximately one hour after the accident as police cleared the scene and investigated the accident.

1. Va. facility has helped cut traffic fatalities. How the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s Vehicle Research Center in Piedmont Virginia’s Greene County is helping save lives.

2. Trouble with trailers. Information on trailer accidents and how to improve safety regulations.

3. Company self-insured for mine tragedy claims. Information on the West Virginia coal mining tragedy, including information on law suits.

Shane McLaughlin, part of the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute team said, “What we’re finding across our studies is that if we can keep the eyes on the road, that’s a big piece of the puzzle.”

Generally speaking, the study shows that drivers using voice controls keep their eyes on the road much more than those who are prone to tuning the radio or dialing a cell phone.

For more information on this story, visit: Voice controls in the car keep eyes on the road.

At this time, no details are available concerning the cause of the accident. Police were on the scene for several hours. While investigating, eastbound traffic on Portsmouth Boulevard, at the point of the accident, was closed.

As a result of the two car accident, six people were taken to local hospitals. According to police, the one person ejected was airlifted to Sentara Norfolk General Hospital. Others were taken by ambulance to Sentara Norfolk General, as well as Sentara Obici Hospital.

More details to follow as police investigate the accident.

Valley emergency personnel and Virginia State Policy, in addition to school officials at Wilson Memorial High School, teamed up to hold a mock drunk driving car crash simulation.

Generally speaking, the presentation showed students what happens during a car accident under “drunken driving conditions.” Officials believe that this sort of simulation is much more effective than a classroom lecture. Students agreed. One of them, Emily Kellington said, “I think the visual helps them more than just listening to a lecture. The visual is a shock to them.”

It will be interesting to see if more schools in the area, as well as other parts of the country, begin to teach about the dangers of drunk driving using this sort of simulation.

At approximately 4 pm, a Jetta hit a Grand Cherokee on West Beverly Street in front of the Food Lion. According to the Staunton Police Department, the Jeep then slammed into another car which was pulling out of the grocery store parking lot.

The two people in the Jetta were airlifted away from the accident, while the driver of the Grand Cherokee and other vehicle were taken by an ambulance. A 10 year old boy was also riding in the Grand Cherokee, but fortunately he only suffered minor injuries and was treated at the scene.

Witnesses have said that the driver of the Jetta was speeding. The Virginia State Police accident reconstruction team is assisting in the investigation to determine the cause.

Here are three personal injury stories from the past few days that are sure to teach you a thing or two:

1. Peninsula man sues pet shop after slipping on dog feces. A man is suing PetSmart for $1 million after slipping and falling on a mess made by a dog.

2. Trucks more likely to be involved in fatal accidents. In Kentucky, large trucks account for a large portion of fatal crashes.

3. Call for mercy spares teen. A teen is spared jail time after a hit and run accident.

The accident occurred shortly before 9 am in the 700 block of Little Neck Road. Unfortunately, Mantos died as a result of the crash. Her husband, as well as two other passengers in the vehicle, were rushed to a local hospital for treatment. All three are in stable condition and none suffered life threatening injuries.

Police have ruled out speeding and alcohol as potential causes of the accident.

The driver of the car, Marla Farrar, was immediately taken to the University of Virginia Medical Center.

State Police said that Farrar drove across the centerline, hit an embankment, and went airborne.  Her car eventually landed on its side and slid to a halt. It took emergency crews approximately an hour and a half to cut through the roof of the vehicle and extract her.

Farrar faces DUI charges, as well as driving without a seatbelt.

Dimitric Evans was charged with the following: family assault, driving without a license, hit and run, and brandishing a firearm. It is easy to see why Evans decided to flee police – although this just added to his problems.

Fortunately, no injuries were reported by those driving in the four cars that were struck by Evans’ vehicle.

Susan Johnson, Currituck County Sheriff, reported that her officers’ pursuit of Evans’ car on N.C. Highway 168 was part of an investigation into illegal narcotics near Beechwood Shores.