Essex and Hopewell men killed in crashes

An Essex County man was killed yesterday when his car ran off U.S. 17 in Caroline County and overturned, Virginia State Police said.

Brian C. Russell, 23, was pronounced dead at the scene of the 10 a.m. crash, about one-tenth of a mile north of state Route 617.

Police said Russell was traveling south when his car ran off the right side of the road and struck a guardrail and several trees before overturning. Russell, who police said wasn't wearing a seat belt, was ejected. The wreck remains under investigation.

In another crash, a Hopewell man was fatally injured Sunday when his car overturned in the 14000 block of Pole Run Road in Prince George County, police said.

Joseph W. Smith, 44, was traveling east on Pole Run when he lost control while rounding a curve, swerved across the opposite lane and overturned, according to Prince George police. Smith was partially ejected and was not wearing a seat belt, police said. He died after being taken to John Randolph Medical Center in Hopewell.

Police said they believe speed was a contributing factor in the crash.

-- Mark Bowes