Excessive speed and alcohol use are suspected factors in a crash late last Tuesday evening that killed a Williamsburg man.
Williamsburg Police Chief Wayne Bird said that the single-vehicle crash happened about 10 p.m. on Aug. 15 along US25W at Exit 15.
“It was a massive impact. It was one of the worst impacts I have seen in a long time,” Bird said.
Seth M. Richardson, 23, of Highway 92E, was traveling south on US25W when he lost control of his Chevrolet Silverado pick-up truck and crashed into the cliff wall at Exit 15, Bird said.
“The driver was dead on arrival. According to witnesses, the vehicle came by the Shell station on US25W in excess of 100 mph. There were no brake marks,” Bird said. “It appears the driver went out of control, tried to steer out of it and impacted a rock wall head-on. Of course it killed him on impact.”
Bird said that officials would have to wait on the results of Richardson’s toxicology test to determine if there was any drug involvement.
“From what we know at the scene, alcohol and speed were definitely contributing factors,” Bird said.
Bird said that that police found open containers of alcohol, and a case of beer in the truck.
He added that it was fortunate no other vehicles were involved.
Williamsburg Police Sgt. Brandon White investigated the fatal crash.
Funeral services for Richardson were held Saturday at Croley Funeral Home in Williamsburg with Rev. Denny Roberts and Rev. Jack Roberts officiating.
Private internment followed at the Jellico Creek Cemetery.
For additional obituary information, see page A-9 in the Aug. 23 edition of the News Journal.
