Thursday, February 7, 2008

Family of woman killed in crash offers reward for information

Family of woman killed in crash offers reward for information
Published 07/16/2006
By WALTER LITTRELL -Kingsport Times-News

The family of a Lee County woman killed in a freak accident last month when a trailer came loose from a truck and the truck kept going is offering a $10,000 reward for information. Times-News file photo.

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JONESVILLE - The family of a Woodway woman killed in a freak accident last month is offering a $10,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the driver of a pickup truck that lost the trailer that claimed her life.

Linda Sue Hyden, 49, Route 2, Box 215, Pennington Gap, died at the scene of a June 8 crash when a utility trailer came loose from its tow vehicle and slammed into her Toyota Camry. She was traveling south on Route 421 just south of Elk Knob Elementary School about 5 p.m. when the crash occurred.

Witnesses reported that the driver of a truck believed to be the tow vehicle stopped briefly a bit down the road then hurriedly left the scene without checking on Hyden. The suspect vehicle, believed to be a blue and white 1980s or 1990s style General Motors pickup truck, left the area traveling north on Route 421.

The trailer - a red, 20-foot, dual-axle, bumper-pull type with a tailgate ramp - did not have a license plate, a vehicle identification number or any other markings that would allow authorities to quickly identify the owner.

Sgt. Shawn Givens of the Virginia State Police said Friday investigators have several persons of interest in the case, and none have been eliminated. They most likely won't be eliminated until forensic evidence is back from the state laboratory in Roanoke. Givens said the evidence includes fingerprints and other items he declined to identify.

Because evidence normally takes some time to come back from the lab, he said the VSP is appealing to the public for any information that could help speed up the solving of the case.

"We are looking for any information anyone can provide because we do need help with this case," said Givens.

Trooper Clint Martin has been assigned to investigate the case, said Givens, but he is being assisted by all law enforcement in Lee County including the VSP, the Lee County Sheriff's Department and the Pennington Gap Police Department.

Anyone with information regarding the case is urged to contact the VSP at 1-800-542-8716 or (276)228-3131. The LCSD and the PGPD can be reached by calling (276)346-7777.

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