A five-vehicle crash that occurred Sunday in Madison County claimed the life of a Charlottesville senior.
The accident occurred Sunday, May 18 at 4:35 p.m. at the intersection of U.S. 29 and Rt. 230, Wolftown-Hood Road. According to the Virginia State Police, a 2017 Volkswagen Golf, a 2024 Hyundai Tucson, a 2021 Ford F150 and a 2024 Subaru Outback were traveling south on U.S. 29 when they all slowed or stopped at a red light. A 2023 Ford F350, which was also traveling south, was unable to stop and collided with the Volkswagen, causing a chain reaction crash with all five vehicles.
The driver of the Volkswagen, a 69-year-old female from Charlottesville and the front passenger, a 74-year-old female, both suffered serious, but not life-threatening injuries and were transported to UVa Medical Center for treatment. Both were wearing seatbelts. A backseat passenger in the Volkswagen, Masashi Kawasaki, 69, of Charlottesville, died in transport to the hospital. He was wearing a seatbelt.
The driver of the Hyundai, a 25-year-old from the UK, was not injured. A 38-year-old male passenger and a 32-year-old male passenger both suffered minor injuries and were transported to UVa Medical Center for treatment. All were wearing seatbelts.
The driver of the F150, a 49-year-old male from Charlottesville, also suffered minor injuries and was transported to UVa Medical Center. He was wearing a seatbelt.
The driver of the Subaru, a 50-year-old female from Charlottesville and an 11-year-old female passenger were not injured. Both were wearing seatbelts.
The driver of the F350, Thomas J. Whittle, 38, of Floyd was not injured. He was not wearing a seatbelt. He has been charged with reckless driving and failure to wear a seatbelt.
The crash investigation and clean-up closed southbound U.S. 29 for approximately five hours. VDOT assisted with the roadway closure and detour. The crash remains under investigation.
