Monday, 03 October 2005 00:00

A boy and two women were killed and 11 people were injured in a four-vehicle accident Saturday, October 1, 2005 in Louisa County, according to Virginia State Police. The accident occurred around 9 p.m. on U.S. 15 just south of Gordonsville, near the intersection with U.S. 33. Some victims were taken to the University of Virginia Medical Center via several helicopters.

Police said a southbound car on U.S. 15 was attempting to pass a truck when it sideswiped an oncoming minivan. Both vehicles slid sideways into opposite lanes, with the car hitting a station wagon and the minivan striking a truck.

The driver of the car, Myrta Claudio, 34, of Staten Island, N.Y., died at the scene.

Ceryl Smith, 44 of Roanoke, was driving the minivan. She and four passengers were taken to UVa. Two other passengers - an adult female who had not been identified and 10-year-old John Thomas Mosier of Roanoke - died at the scene.

Chad Burruss, 34, of Louisa, who was driving the truck, and his passenger, Anthony McCowan, 31, of Louisa, were also taken to UVa, as were the driver of the station wagon, Erskine Cash II, 39, of Pennsylvania, his wife and two children.

Alcohol and speeding do not appear to have played a role in the accident, said Lt. Tim Evans with the state police. Police have not filed charges in connection with the accident, and any charges depend on the continuing investigation, he said.

The four-vehicle accident, Evans said, was “an unfortunate occurrence.” (Charlottesville Daily Progress)