Preddy Creek woman killed in one-car crash

From staff reports
Published: July 31, 2008

A Preddy Creek woman died Thursday morning when her sport utility vehicle went off a curve into a creek and crushed her beneath the vehicle, according to Virginia State Police.

Barbara K. Jenkins, 47, died at the scene of the wreck on Route 670 in Greene County near the Orange County line. The road is also known as Preddy Creek Road. The accident happened shortly after 7 a.m. Thursday, according to Master Trooper J.W. Sullivan of the Virginia State Police.

“Her vehicle, a 2000 Chevrolet Tahoe, was eastbound on Route 670 in a curve when the driver’s door opened and she was partially ejected,” Sullivan said. “That led to the vehicle leaving the road and falling onto its side in the creek culvert. The vehicle landed on her.”

Sullivan said it appeared that Jenkins was not wearing a seatbelt. He said that fact might have contributed to the accident as she fell partly from the vehicle when the door opened.