Published: March 16, 2009 07:51 pm      

2-year-old dies in Tazewell County crash

TAZEWELL, Va. — A 2-year-old child has died as a result of an automobile accident in Tazewell County, police said Monday.

The accident was reported Saturday at 6:30 p.m. on U.S. Route 19-460 at the intersection of Clay Drive. The child was a passenger in a 2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee operated by Randy Bogle, 33, of North Tazewell. The Jeep was stopped at a traffic light when it was struck from behind by a 1981 Chevy 1500 Truck operated by Zachary Williams, 33, of Princeton, Sgt. Michael Conroy, of the Virginia State Police in Wytheville, said.

Conroy said the child died Sunday at Johnson City Medical Center.

Conroy said Williams has been charged with DUI and driving suspended. Conroy said a second person in the vehicle operated by Williams was transported to Clinch Valley Medical Center in Richlands.

Conroy said everyone, including the child, was wearing safety restraints in the vehicle operated by Bogle.

The accident remains under investigation by Trooper G.E. Deskins.

“Additional charges are possible,” Conroy said. “It’s still under investigation.”

— Contact Charles Owens at cowens@bdtonline.com