Trooper, 4 others killed in wrecks

A Virginia State Police trooper was killed yesterday afternoon in a crash in Henry County.

Trooper Ralph W. Carroll Sr. was riding a motorcycle along U.S. 220 in Henry County when a car driven by 20-year-old Christopher A. Cunningham turned in front of Carroll's southbound motorcycle about 1 p.m., said state police Sgt. Bob Carpentieri.

Carroll, 59, hit the passenger side of the car and was thrown from the motorcycle, Carpentieri said. He was flown to Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital, where he died.

Carpentieri said a special prosecutor will investigate the case.

Carroll's death raised the 2009 state highway death toll to 326, 67 fewer than the total at this time last year.

Authorities provided the following details for four other recent fatalities:

• Michael L. Mills, 43, of Virginia Beach was driving a car northbound on Bold Ruler Drive just south of Hecate Drive in the resort city yesterday, when he lost control in a curve and the car he was driving turned over shortly before 2 a.m. He died on the scene and was wearing no seat belt.

• Danielle N. Byrd, 20, of Independence was killed Thursday after the sport-utility vehicle she was driving ran off the right side of U.S. 58 west of Bear Branch Road in Grayson County and hit a tree, partially ejecting her. She died on the scene. She was not wearing a seat belt.

• Dale F. May, 40, of Harrisonburg was killed Tuesday as he was riding a bicycle on U.S. 11 in Rockingham County, when a van hit him about 11 p.m. May was pronounced dead at the scene.

Jone E. Mason, 60, of Berryville, died Wednesday after a wreck the day before in Clarke County. She was driving a car along state Route 7, when it ran off the right side of the road and hit an embankment. Mason was wearing a seat belt.

Contact Reed Williams at (804) 649-6332 or .