Weather blamed in Nelson road death

An Amherst County man was killed along Va. 56 in Nelson County last week when he was hit by a tractor-trailer truck carrying logs.

Alger H. Fleming, 66, was driving east at 4:35 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 12, when he was unable to stop in time and his 1994 Ford Ranger pickup truck struck a large tree that had fallen across the road near the Tye River Bridge, Virginia State Police Public Relations Manager Corinne Geller said.

Fleming put his hazard lights on and got out of his truck to survey the damage when an eastbound tractor-trailer came up behind his truck. The driver swerved into the west bound lane to avoid hitting the truck and struck Fleming, Geller said.

Fleming died at the scene. His death was one of three state-wide that are weather-related, Geller said.

Geller said no charges will be filed against the driver of the tractor-trailer.

Nelson County Emergency Services Coordinator Ray Uttaro said the road was closed for more than four hours while crews cleaned up the scene of the accident.

Nelson County Rescue Squad, Piney River Volunteer Fire Department, Lovingston Volunteer Fire Department, Virginia State Police and the Nelson County Sheriff’s Office all responded to the accident.