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Roanoke County Police say a pedestrian is dead after an accident on US 220 around 10 p.m. last night when a tractor-trailer traveling southbound on Franklin Road in southwest Roanoke County struck a pedestrian who was walking in a southbound travel lane near the Clearbrook Wal-Mart. Amanda Graninger was pronounced deceased on the scene. Police say the driver of the truck was not injured; alcohol and drugs may have played a role in the crash.

Statement From Superintendent of Roanoke City Public Schools Verletta White: The Roanoke Police Department investigated a credible threat, and we have been notified that they have arrested and charged an adult in connection with making the threats. Please visit www.rcps.info to read the police department’s full statement. We appreciate their diligence in investigating all threats and for keeping us informed throughout their investigation. We will continue to work with them as they investigate additional “copycat” threats. Always know that the safety and security of our students and staff is my top priority and, certainly, that of our school division. I want to thank everyone who spoke up and reported these threats to the police and our 24/7 tipline, SpeakUp for Safety. This allowed the police to quickly investigate and find the person responsible. In times of crisis, we know you want answers and so do we, and I want to thank you for your patience, as the police investigated this matter. It is important to note that there are times when we are limited in what we can share so we do not compromise the police department’s investigation. For instance, when we had numerous threats reported throughout the night and as police learned more, we had to pivot and make the decision to close schools Thursday morning.
To that end, several threats have come in since the arrest and we need additional time to work with police to determine the credibility of these threats. Therefore, schools will be closed again  Friday, February 23rd. 12-month staff should report on time. I am asking all parents to talk with your children about the consequences of making threats, which may include their arrest. Tomorrow, we will do our due diligence in working with the police on this matter so we can be fully ready to welcome everyone to school on Monday in a safe and welcoming learning environment. Thank you for all you do, and for partnering with us to keep our schools safe

Statement from Roanoke City Public Schools: We are aware of threats toward multiple schools that have been circulating on social media since last evening. Police are investigating and are working with the social media companies in their investigation. To that end, there will be no school or afterschool activities today, February 22nd, so police can continue their investigation. 12-month employees should report on time

Roanoke Fire-EMS responded to a structure fire yesterday in the 500 block of Campbell Ave SW. First arriving crews found smoke coming from the second floor. Upon entry, crews located a victim that was removed from the structure and transported to the hospital by Roanoke Fire-EMS personnel. Despite all efforts by Roanoke Fire EMS personnel and hospital staff, the individual passed away. Fire investigators are working diligently to determine the cause and origin of this fire. Also, 10 occupants were displaced and Roanoke Emergency Management Staff worked to relocate these individuals

Roanoke County Fire and Rescue responded at 12:42 a.m. on Monday, January 22, 2024, to the 5300 block of Yellow Mountain Road, in the Clearbrook area, for the report of a residential structure fire. The first arriving unit from Station 7 (Clearbrook) found heavy smoke showing from the attic area of a two-story house and marked it a working fire. The house was occupied by one adult at the time of the fire. The fire was brought under control in about one hour. The adult occupant is safe and there were no injuries. The resident of the home will be displaced and is being assisted by the American Red Cross. Due to a lack of fire hydrants in that area of Roanoke County, several tanker trucks from across the county were used to shuttle water to the fire. The Roanoke County Fire Marshal’s Office is on scene to investigate a cause and provide a damage estimate.

(Updated 1/5 3pm) State Police is investigating a fatal crash which occurred at 5:09 a.m. this morning on Route 220, near Aviator Dr. The crash involved a tractor trailer, which was illegally parked on the right shoulder of Route 220, when it was struck in the rear by a Jeep SUV. The SUV and the trailer caught fire after the collision, causing both to completely burn. The roadway was closed for an extended period of time due to the cleanup. The roadway is now open.  The driver of the SUV died in the crash. It is unknown if the driver of the SUV was wearing his seatbelt. The remains have been sent to the Office of the Medical Examiner, Western District for identification. The driver of the tractor trailer was not injured. The crash remains under investigation.

 

(previously) The crash today occurred northbound Route 220 at 5:09 a.m. near Aviator’s Circle in Franklin County.

Two vehicle crash involving a tractor trailer and a passenger vehicle. No word on who died in the crash  as authorities have not identified the victim.

The northbound lanes are blocked due to the vehicle fire. Unknown when the roadway will reopen. VDOT has set up a detour for the vehicles that are not stuck in the Q.

(Roanoke County, VA—December 19, 2023) Roanoke County Fire and Rescue responded at 8:49 p.m. on Tuesday, December 19, 2023, to the 2700 block of Tulip Lane, in the Vinton area, for the report of a residential structure fire. Upon arrival units from Station 2 (Vinton) found a two-story home that was heavily involved in fire from the rear of the house. The home was occupied at the time of the fire by 2 adults and 4 children all of whom escaped unharmed thanks to the presence of working smoke alarms. The family will be displaced. They are staying with family and will be assisted by the American Red Cross Virginia Region. There were no injuries to the occupants or firefighting personnel. The fire was brought under control in about twenty-five minutes. We want to express our appreciation to the City of Roanoke Fire and EMS for their assistance on this fire. This was the second working fire for units from Roanoke County tonight. The Roanoke County Fire Marshal’s Office is on scene to investigate a cause and provide a damage estimate.

MGN

(Update 12/20)Roanoke Police Traffic Investigators have completed their investigation into this motor vehicle crash and have determined that there was no criminal intent or negligence on the part of the bus driver.

After careful review of the evidence with the Commonwealth Attorney, it was determined that the child entered the roadway and fell when the bus was moving. The driver of the bus did not see the child enter the roadway or know that she was injured. This incident was initially investigated as a hit-and-run, as the driver had left the scene of the motor vehicle crash after they unknowingly struck the child. Because the driver did not deliberately leave the scene of a crash, they will not be facing any charges regarding this incident. The child was not seriously injured during the crash and is expected to make a full recovery.

(previously)  Roanoke police report a school bus struck and injured a girl this morning on the city’s northwest side. Police say it happened as the girl entered the roadway at Cove Road and Lancelot Lane, which is right around the entrance to North Ridge Apartments. The injuries are not believed to be life-threatening. It’s unclear if the school bus driver might face any charges. Further details are not yet available.

NEWS RELEASE: On December 15, 2023 at approximately 8:50 a.m., Roanoke Police were notified by the City of Roanoke E-911 Center of a motor vehicle crash involving a pedestrian near the intersection of Cove Road and Lancelot Lane NW. Responding officers located a juvenile female victim with what appeared to be non-life-threatening injuries from this crash. Roanoke Fire-EMS personnel transported the child to Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital for treatment.

Witnesses advised that the child had been struck by a Roanoke City School Bus after she entered the roadway. Officers located the bus shortly after the crash occurred and spoke with the bus driver. There were several students on the bus, but no additional injuries have been reported to police at this time. It is not believed that any other vehicles were involved. At this time, no charges have been placed regarding this motor vehicle crash. As is the practice in these type investigations, the Commonwealth Attorney will be consulted once the investigation is completed.

Traffic Investigators are working to determine the events leading to the crash. This is an ongoing investigation and no further details are available at this time.

On December 3, 2023, Roanoke Police responded to the 1600 block of Lawrence Ave SE at approximately 11:30 a.m. for a well-being check on an individual. Officers located the adult male victim with what appeared to be critical stab wounds in the residence. Roanoke Fire-EMS pronounced the man deceased on scene. It’s unknown exactly when the homicide occurred, but it’s believe to have been as early as mid-week. Roanoke Police almost immediately identified a suspect in the homicide investigation and began working to locate him.

 

At approximately 4:00 p.m., officers observed the suspect walking in the 3000 block of Melrose Ave NW and attempted to stop the man to speak with him. The suspect produced a firearm and fired towards the officers. Multiple shots were exchanged between Roanoke Police Officers and the suspect.

 

One Roanoke Police Officer was struck by gunfire. That officer was transported to LewisGale Medical Center by Roanoke Fire-EMS for treatment of what appeared to be serious and life threatening injuries. The suspect was also struck by gunfire and was pronounced deceased by Roanoke Fire-EMS personnel.

 

In accordance with department policy, Virginia State Police were notified and will be investigating this incident. The officers involved will be placed on administrative leave, per department policy. Virginia State Police will be releasing further updates to this investigation.

 

 

Virginia State Police is investigating a single-vehicle crash, which resulted in a fatality. The crash occurred Monday (Nov 27) at 4:28 p.m. on Route 11, one quarter of a mile north of Brughs Mill Road in Botetourt County.

A 2004 Jeep Liberty was traveling north on Route 11, when the vehicle ran off the right side of the roadway and struck a support pillar of a dwelling, the vehicle continued into the woods and struck a tree.

The driver of the Jeep was identified as Kimberly Ann Painter, 63, of Buchanan, Va. Ms. Painter was not wearing her seatbelt and died at the scene.

The crash remains under investigation.

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