A driver was killed Monday morning when he pulled in front of an oncoming Pittsylvania County sheriff’s deputy on U.S. 29 just north of Chatham.
The accident happened shortly after 11 a.m. in the northbound lanes across from Chatham Medical Center.
Virginia State Police Sgt. M.C. Davis said Michael Andrew Eanes, 63, of Callands, died at the crash.
The deputy, T. R. Moore Jr., 30, and a sheriff’s office intern, Monica Kennedy, 20, were not seriously hurt.
According to Davis, Eanes was driving a 2008 Ford Ranger pickup truck and was crossing the highway to head south when he pulled into the path of the deputy’s 2007 Ford Crown Victoria.
The collision occurred in the left northbound lane just before the crossover in the median.
“Neither saw the other,” said the sergeant, noting the deputy didn’t even have time to brake before the collision.
“He just pulled out in front of the deputy,” said Davis. “It was a violent crash.”
Eanes was wearing a seatbelt, the sergeant said. The pickup’s air bag also deployed, but the deputy’s car slammed into the driver’s side of the truck at about 60 mph.
Air bags also inflated in the deputy’s car, probably saving the deputy’s and intern’s lives, said Davis.
Both the deputy and intern were wearing seatbelts.
Moore suffered bumps and bruises and was taken to Danville Regional Medical Center.
Kennedy refused treatment.
No charges were filed.
Trooper M.S. Zola investigated the crash.