From Virginia State Police: COVINGTON, Va. – State Police Trooper C. Montgomery is investigating a single vehicle crash which occurred December 27, 2015 at 11:11 pm on Route 18 approximately one and a half miles south of Route 614 in Alleghany County. A 1999 Ford Explorer was traveling north on Route 18 when it crossed the center line running off the left side of the roadway and strucking a tree. The 1999 Ford was driven by William Austin Childress, 22, of Covington, Va. Mr. Childress was not wearing his seatbelt and was transported from the scene for injuries received in the crash. The passenger in the Ford, Matthew Ryan Long, 21, of Eagle Rock, Va, was not wearing his seatbelt and died at the scene. Virginia State Police Crash Reconstruction Team was called to assist with the investigation. Charges are pending. The crash remains under investigation.
