Concert to benefit daughters of Windsor woman killed in Monday crash

Published 11:14 am Wednesday, June 16, 2010

CARROLLTON—Proceeds from a Friday, June 18, concert will benefit the three daughters of a Windsor woman killed in a Monday car accident.

Carrollton Volunteer Fire Department “Firehouse Bluegrass” concert will be held at 7:30 p.m. at Station 10 on Route 17, 15020 Carrollton Blvd.

Karen Phillips Chase, 47, of Hidden Acres Circle was killed in a crash on Route 258 near Route 799 in Isle of Wight County, Virginia State Police said. Chase was driving a 2003 Volkswagen Beetle convertible southbound at about 5:35 p.m. when her car left the road. She overcorrected, and the car crossed into the opposite lane and collided with the driver of a 2007 Nissan Altima.

Chase died at the scene. She was the wife of Rusty Chase, emergency services director for Isle of Wight County.

“We do these monthly bluegrass concerts at the fire station,” said Albert Burckard, vice president for Carrollton Volunteer Fire Department. “Normally proceeds go to the fire station for uniforms and medical supplies. We decided whatever is donated (on Friday) will go to the memorial fund for the girls’ education.”

A fund was established Tuesday for the Chases’ daughters, Lindsey, Lauren and Leigh-Ann. Donations can be made to Karen Chase Memorial Fund, c/o Farmer’s Bank, P.O. Box 285, Windsor, Va., 23487.

Carrollton Volunteer Fire Department chose to do the benefit because members work closely with Rusty Chase.

“I’ve known him for a long time,” Burckard said. “He’s really a great guy.”

The news of Karen Chase’s death was devastating, Burckard added.

“It was just so sudden and both have done so much for the community,” he said. “It’s one of those things that hit you hard.”

A graduate of Franklin High School, Chase was a registered nurse with Western Tidewater Health District for more than 25 years.