Police: Driver runs light, hits car

September 03, 2008 11:20 pm

— Beckley police say a van driver ran a red light and struck a car Wednesday, sending the car into a utility pole.
Around 5 p.m., Thomas James Morgan III, 51, of Bradley, was driving a 1995 Chevy van north on North Kanawha Street when, according to witnesses, he ran a red light at the Prince Street intersection, Patrolman B.J. Adkins said. Morgan then struck a 2005 Buick sedan driven by Linda Gail Dyer, 59, of Beckley.
Dyer’s car then struck a telephone pole at the intersection, Adkins said. Dyer was taken to a local hospital for treatment. Morgan was not injured.
Morgan originally said he thought the light was yellow, but Adkins said he was confronted with contradicting statements from witnesses. Morgan then admitted he ran the red light and was cited for a red light violation.
Capt. Gary Raines of the Beckley Fire Department said the utility pole was not badly damaged and the wreck did not cause any downed lines or power outages.
— Amelia A. Pridemore