BY RACHEL DOVE
MOUNTAIN CITIZEN

DAVELLA — A Monday afternoon accident on New Route 3 near Venters Branch resulted in the death of a Debord resident.

Martin County Sheriff John Kirk received a call at 3:19 p.m. Monday reporting an SUV alongside Route 3 with airbags deployed and no sign of anyone around. Kirk dispatched Deputy Billy Patrick to the scene. While Patrick was en route, 911 dropped the tones for the Inez Volunteer Fire Department and the sheriff’s office to respond to a vehicle crash with one person reportedly inside the front seat slumped over under the airbags.

The sheriff and Chief Deputy Chris Kidd responded, along with Patrick, NetCare Ambulance, Martin County Rescue Squad and the fire department.

Upon arrival, Kirk checked the pulse of the unresponsive female and could detect none. EMS immediately began lifesaving measures, including CPR. They loaded the patient and were quickly en route to Highlands Appalachian Regional Medical Center.

According to Kirk, evidence at the scene, including tire marks on the roadway, indicate that Marianne (Fletcher) Spence, 41, of Davella, lost control of her SUV and crossed the northbound lane, striking the hillside and continuing for several feet before coming to a stop in the ditch-line.

Kirk said the driver was not wearing a seat belt during the impact.

Spence, who had visible head, chest and abdominal trauma, was pronounced dead on arrival at the medical center.

“So far, we haven’t been able to locate any eyewitnesses to the accident,” said Sheriff Kirk. “It’s quite possible that anyone driving by the vehicle may have thought the driver hit a deer and had got a ride away from the scene because this area is a hot spot for deer crossing the roadway. Thankfully, someone stopped and got a better look inside the vehicle and realized someone was trapped inside. I only wish the outcome would have been different and that no loss of life had occurred.”

The sheriff requests any witnesses to please call his office at 606-298-2810.