Our thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends of Pulaski County Sherriff’s Office Sergeant Perry Hodge. Sergeant Hodge was killed just after 4am on Thursday morning in a head on collision involving two full size pick up trucks.
Virginia State Police were on the scene to investigate the crash. They have determined that the driver of a Chevy 1500 truck was traveling south on Route 11 and crossed the center line. Sgt. Hodge was traveling north on Rte. 11 and was hit by the oncoming truck.
Sgt. Hodge was 49 years old and had been loyal community service for the past 15 years. During his tenure, he worked in the schools as a resource officer and was most recently working with students and staff at Riverlawn Elementary. The school system is acting quickly to make counselors available to all students and staff who may need support during this time.
The driver of the Chevy pickup was 26 year old Michael D. Morris. He was taken to the hospital with life-threatening injuries. At the time of this posting, there has been no update on his condition.
Neither, Hodge, nor Morris were wearing a seat belt at the time of the accident.
The Virginia State Police have not placed charges, although state they are pending.
The Virginia State Police have also not stated what might have caused the accident. Often, accidents that involve one vehicle crossing the center line are attributed to driver fatigue,driver distraction, and/or DUI.
Head-on collisions are thought to be one of the most dangerous types of accidents regarding injury to drivers and passengers of vehicles. The Department of Transportation has estimated that approximately 18 percent of all head-on collisions result in at least one fatality. That number increases if speeds involved in the crash are over 43 mph.
Injuries that commonly occur in head-on collisions include:
- TBI (Traumatic Brain Injury)
- Back, Neck, and Spinal Injury
- Collapsed lung
- Broken Collar Bone
- Lacerations, bruising and burns to the upper body and face
- Internal organ damage
- Broken bones
- Wrongful death
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