A collision caused by black ice sent two Culpeper drivers to the hospital yesterday morning.
Police said John Henry Costello, 43, was heading east on State Route 3 in the town of Culpeper shortly before 8 a.m. when his 1971 Chevrolet pickup slid into the westbound lane.
Around the intersection with Broad Street, Costello's truck collided with a 1991 Ford F-150 pickup being driven west by 60-year-old Taylor Lewis. Both vehicles were traveling at about 35 mph, which is the speed limit in that area, investigating officer Craig Frazier said.
Costello was ejected from his vehicle, Frazier said. Lewis was belted and remained in his pickup.
Both drivers were flown to Mary Washington Hospital. Police said their injuries were not believed to be life-threatening.
Because of the icy conditions, no charges were filed, Frazier said.
Meanwhile, the state police provided more details about the weekend crash of a Virginia Army National Guard vehicle. Three people were injured in the accident, including two workers at Mary Washington Hospital.
The accident occurred about 5 a.m. Sunday when a National Guard Humvee ran off the road and struck a tree.
Can Yurdagul, 20, a Guard member and passenger in the front seat, was injured, said Corinne Geller, spokeswoman for the state police.
Also injured were hospital workers Judith A. Steele, 62, and James R. Springman, 53. They were unbelted and riding in a cargo area in the rear of the Humvee. None of the injuries was life-threatening, Geller said.
Tiwain A. Eberhardt, 20, of Richmond, the driver of the vehicle, was not injured.
Eberhardt was going east on Harrison Road in Spotsylvania County, just west of its intersection with Twin Springs Drive, when the accident occurred.
National Guard units were in the area during the snowstorm to transport hospital workers who could not get out to Mary Washington Hospital.
Donnie Johnston:
Email: djohnston@freelancestar.com