Woman dies in crash outside Short Pump Town Center
A man who lost control of his sport utility vehicle triggered a four-vehicle crash yesterday that killed a New Kent County woman just outside the entrance to Short Pump Town Center, Henrico County police said.
Diane Wheat, 62, was pronounced dead at VCU Medical Center after the 11:50 a.m. wreck at Lauderdale Drive and West Broad Street in western Henrico.
The wreck occurred after the driver of a GMC Yukon heading west on West Broad Street lost control, striking three vehicles waiting at the light at Lauderdale Drive to leave the shopping center, Henrico police Lt. Mark Banks said.
The Yukon struck two vehicles before colliding with Wheat's car, which was idling in the lane to their right, Banks said.
The driver of the Yukon and his 12-year-old daughter suffered minor injuries and were transported to a local hospital, police said.
"It's unknown right now what exactly" caused the one driver to lose control, Banks said. "We're not sure if there was a medical situation that caused the accident. The investigation is still ongoing."
Banks said Wheat was known to many on the Henrico police force. She was the receptionist at automotive retailer CarMax Inc.'s corporate headquarters in Goochland County "and was the first person that you'd see" when entering, he said. Off-duty Henrico officers provide security for CarMax, Banks said.
Lisa Van Riper, an assistant vice president at the University of Richmond who worked at CarMax for more than seven years, remembers Wheat for her positive, cheerful attitude.
"I always looked forward to seeing her smile every day when coming into the office," Van Riper said. "She always asked about my family and was always concerned about everyone. She had such a smile and a cheerful word to say."
Wheat started at CarMax in 1999. "She was the loving and caring person to everyone who walked into the offices," Van Riper said.
Yesterday's crash was at least the second fatal wreck at that intersection in the past three years.
Early the morning of New Year's Day 2007, a Jeep Cherokee driven by Sarah Ann Haislip, then 16, ran a red light and hit a car broadside, killing Wesley Taylor, a 29-year-old bartender who was leaving the shopping center after work.
Haislip was convicted of involuntary manslaughter, possession of alcohol and other charges. She spent one year in jail.
Contact Mark Bowes at (804) 649-6450 or
.
Staff writers Greg Gilligan and Reed Williams contributed to this report.
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Reader Reactions
Every time I’d call the home office ,and knew it was her answering, I’d always take the time to say hello to her regardless of how important it was to get through to other people. Diane had the spark of personality that was so refreshing to hear that you couldn’t help but smile when you heard her say hello! She had always asked when i was coming to visit her there at the Home Office and she made me, as well as everyone, feel so welcomed there. She had that energy that could take your worst day and put a smile on your face. That was Diane! It just isn’t fair. What could possibly be so important that they could lose control at such a speed to injure and kill people at an intersection? Take today and tell those that you love that you appreciate them.
I have to agree with the concerns expressed here about cell phone use while driving. Studies have shown clearly that talking on the phone (even with hands free equip) is basically the same as driving drunk. But no politicians seem willing to offend those who insist on talking anyway by really dealing with the issue (banning texting is not enough). I have to add in response to ddub that unfortunately when a person is talking and crashes and is driving a huge SUV, it’s usually other folks who get hurt or die.
Dee65 - agree with you 100%... Too many people are more concerned with their cell phone conversation than what’s in front of them. And god forbid if you say something to them. If someone gets in a wreck while talking on a cell phone, than they deserve it IMO.
I mean, I could go on and on about old people should drive because there reaction time is way too slow. Or the old people that go 45 on the interstate and cause accidents, or old people that drive the wrong way on a street, or how old people cant see well and cut off drivers….see…...I could go on and on, but who gives a poop. You said “Also I found no need to mention the Haislip accident since it was her fault for driving drunk under age.“, but you did mention it. Get a life Dee65 and/or choose a different type of story to comment to that is relavent to your rants and raves.
Dee65,
Really, is all that about cell phones neccesary? We all know there are 1000’s or reasons an accident can happen and no one except the drive knows what happened. Spare us your thoughts on your personal opinion about something that isnt known. I mean really, if every person posted a comment about this and that for 1 possible reason of the accident, there would be pages and pages. Jeez.
My sympathy goes out to the woman’s family and friends.
as a vendor that dealt with carmax, i had to go to the corporate office many times. Diane Wheat was the person you saw every time to sign you in. She will be missed.
I hope that it was a medical condition that caused the driver to loose control and not something else. People talking on cell phones and not paying attention are high the list followed by impatient drivers who speed up around you only to get caught up at the red light right next to you.
I’ve seen people go through red lights and go the wrong way on streets and in malls because they’re on a cell phone. What can be so important that you can’t wait to stop, park and speak. Also I found no need to mention the Haislip accident since it was her fault for driving drunk under age.
This could very well have a been an unfortunate accident and my condolences go out to family and freinds of the deceased.
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