Crime & Safety

Fatal New Year's DUI Wreck, Maryland Man Charged: Virginia State Police

Berwyn Heights man charged after another motorist was killed in southwestern Virginia in the early morning of Jan. 1, 2017.

RUSSELL COUNTY, VA — A Maryland man has been charged in the DUI wreck that killed another motorist on New Year's Day, according to Virginia State Police. Dale M. Donnells, 41, of Berwyn Heights, Maryland, faces charges of DUI and aggravated involuntary manslaughter.

The victim has been identified as Thomas C. Estep, 21, of Norton, Virginia. He died at the scene.

According to investigators, the crash occurred at 2:22 a.m. Sunday on Route 19 less than a mile south of Route 58. Donnells was reportedly driving a 2004 Chevrolet Silverado pickup truck, heading south in the northbound lanes of Route 19. He allegedly struck Estep's 2007 Pontiac G5 head-0n.

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Donnells was treated at the Russel County Medical Center for minor injuries and released. He was then taken into custody by state police.

The Virginia State Police Wytheville Division Crash Reconstruction Team responded to the scene to assist with the crash investigation, which remains ongoing at this time, according to police spokesperson Corinne Geller.

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