News Summary
A devastating five-vehicle crash on Route 29 in Madison County on May 18 led to one fatality, that of 69-year-old Masashi Kawasaki. The incident occurred when a driver failed to stop for a red light, causing a chain-reaction collision. Multiple individuals sustained injuries, with serious cases requiring hospitalization. Authorities are investigating the crash, stressing the need for adherence to traffic laws, including the use of seatbelts to enhance road safety.
Virginia – A five-vehicle collision on Route 29 in Madison County on May 18 resulted in one fatality and several individuals requiring hospitalization. The incident occurred at approximately 4:50 p.m. at the intersection of Route 29 and Route 230, prompting a response from the Virginia State Police.
According to reports, four vehicles were proceeding southbound on Route 29 and had come to a stop for a red traffic light. A fifth vehicle, driven by 38-year-old Thomas J. Whittle from Floyd, failed to stop in time and rear-ended the last vehicle in line, leading to a chain reaction that impacted all five vehicles involved.
The crash tragically claimed the life of Masashi Kawasaki, a 69-year-old male passenger from Charlottesville, who was sitting in the backseat of a 2017 Volkswagen Golf. In addition to the fatality, multiple individuals sustained injuries, though none were deemed life-threatening. The driver of the Volkswagen, a 69-year-old woman, and a 74-year-old female front-seat passenger both incurred serious injuries and were transported to UVA Medical Center for evaluation and treatment.
Although he was uninjured, Whittle has been charged with reckless driving and failure to wear a seatbelt. The front-seat passengers of the Volkswagen were wearing their seatbelts at the time of the collision.
The crash also involved a Hyundai driven by a 25-year-old male from the UK, who was not injured. However, two passengers in that vehicle, aged 32 and 38, sustained minor injuries and were also taken to UVA Medical Center. Additionally, a 49-year-old male from Charlottesville, driving a Ford F150 that was part of the collision, suffered minor injuries but was wearing a seatbelt during the event.
The incident involved an additional vehicle, a Subaru driven by a 50-year-old female from Charlottesville, who, along with her 11-year-old female passenger, was uninjured and wearing seatbelts at the time of the crash.
As a result of the accident, southbound traffic on Route 29 was fully closed for approximately five hours to allow for investigation and cleanup efforts. The Virginia State Police are continuing their investigation into the events leading up to the collision, while the community mourns the loss of life and the impact on those involved.
This multi-vehicle accident highlights the importance of adhering to traffic laws, including the use of seatbelts, as a measure to enhance safety on the roads. As investigations proceed, authorities hope to provide clarity on the circumstances that led to this tragic event.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
- The River 953
- Wikipedia: Virginia State Police
- 29 News
- Google Search: Madison County vehicle crash
- Augusta Free Press
- Google Scholar: traffic accident reports
- CBS 19 News
- Encyclopedia Britannica: traffic safety
- Cville Right Now
- Google News: Virginia traffic incident
Author: STAFF HERE WILLIAMSBURG WRITER
WILLIAMSBURG STAFF WRITER The WILLIAMSBURG STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREWilliamsburg.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Williamsburg, James City County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Williamsburg Farmers Market, Yorktown Market Days, and Busch Gardens Food & Wine Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Williamsburg Chamber of Commerce and Colonial Williamsburg Foundation, plus leading businesses in education and hospitality that power the local economy such as College of William & Mary, The Williamsburg Winery, and Sodexo. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREVirginiaBeach.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Virginia's dynamic landscape.
