Emporia man killed in crash on South Quay

Published 9:10 am Wednesday, August 11, 2010

SUFFOLK—An Emporia man was killed early Monday when the pickup he was driving hit a tanker truck transporting milk, according to Suffolk officials.

Raymond Fields, who died on the scene, did not see the tanker truck, which was attempting to turn around in the fog at 4:20 a.m., said Suffolk spokeswoman Debbie George.

The driver of the tanker truck, Jason Hensley, got lost on South Quay Road. When Hensley came upon the Blackwater Bridge and realized his rig was too heavy to meet its size restrictions, he began backing away from the bridge.

Hensley backed onto nearby Wyanoke Trail just as Fields approached the road. Fields was unable to stop and hit the truck broadside.

Hensley was not injured.

Police spent much of the morning investigating the accident. It took wreckers more than two hours to separate the vehicles. The scene was cleared at about 11:30 a.m.

George said the incident remains under investigation.

“Typically, the cases are reviewed with the Commonwealth’s Attorney before any charges are placed,” she said.