From Virginia State Police: Trooper J. D. Eames is investigating a fatal crash which happened overnight in Franklin County. State Police received an emergency call from a citizen which had found an overturned vehicle on Gap Gate Road in Callaway. Trooper Eames was dispatched to the crash scene at 4:33 am and located a 2001 Ford Mustang convertible approximately 20 feet off the roadway. The vehicle had been traveling east on Route 739, a tenth of a mile west of Route 742, when it ran off the left side of the roadway and overturned. The time has of the crash has not been determined, but the investigation has found that the driver was last seen at approximately 10:00 pm Wednesday evening. The 2001 Ford was driven by Chad Goodwin Nichols, 39, of Callaway. Mr. Nichols was wearing his seat belt and died at the scene. The crash remains under investigation. If you have any information regarding Mr. Nichols between the hours of 10:00 pm Wednesday and 4:00 am Thursday, please call the Virginia State Police.
