Passenger Dies after Falling Tree on Parkway Strikes Car

Passenger Dies after Falling Tree on Parkway Strikes Car

By WYDaily Staff Monday, February 21, 2011

An 84-year-old Louisiana woman was killed Saturday afternoon after the car she was driving in was struck by a falling tree on the Colonial Parkway.

Lavera Pittman, of Hammond, La., was a passenger in a Buick Lacrosse driven by her husband, 85-year-old Iddo Pittman. A preliminary investigation shows the car was eastbound on the Parkway around 12:45 p.m. near the Jamestown end of the road when a tree fell and struck the Pittmans' car. The car then left the roadway and struck a standing tree head on, according to a National Park Service spokesman.

A family member said the Pittmans had been vacationing in the area.

Lavera Pittman died at the scene as a result of injuries sustained in the accident. Mr. Pittman was extricated from the wreckage by firefighters and paramedics from the Williamsburg Fire Department, then transported to Riverside Regional Medical Center by LifeEvac helicopter.

The Williamsburg area experienced strong winds at the time of the accident. Newport News/Williamsburg International Airport recorded wind speeds of 22 miles per hour in the afternoon Saturday, with gusts of 37 miles per hour.

The National Park Service and James City County Police Department are continuing to investigate the collision.

Comments

+5 #11 Guest 2011-02-22 21:06

Maybe the State Park Assoc could plant a beautiful tree in her memory! What a wonderful family you seem to be....so terribly sorry for your loss! Praying for a speedy recovery for Mr. Pittman; may the Lord envelope you all during this time and give you peace and comfort!

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+2 #10 Guest 2011-02-22 20:19

The following is a link to the Hammond Daily Star newspaper article regarding the Pittmans.

http://hammonddailystar.com/articles/2011/02/22/community/community_news/542.txt

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+17 #9 Guest 2011-02-21 16:56

There is so much that I could say about the Pittmans and what they have meant to me for all of my 53 years of life. If ever there was an example to follow in all aspects of life, they have been it.

While the loss of Mrs. Pittman saddens me greatly, her life was full, wonderful and complete. She truly “ran the race” the way it should.

To the people of the Williamsburg area, I can tell you that the Pittmans have had, from at least as early as the 1950’s, a lengthy love for Colonial America and Colonial Williamsburg. They have visited your area many times and always enjoyed sharing their experiences with others.

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+12 #8 Guest 2011-02-21 15:09

God bless Kathleen, Iddo, and your family.
All your friends at Broadmoor Baptist love you and pray for your healing and comfort!

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+14 #7 Guest 2011-02-21 14:46

My love and prayers are with you and your family!

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+35 #6 Guest 2011-02-21 14:01

Please allow me to second what my son said. Thank you to all the people who assisted (Fire, First Responders, Life Flight and Police Officers ) for all you did. I am one of several children of these great people. I know as a Police Officer for the last 30 years the incredible stress involved in working these fatalities. It's never a easy thing to lose a loved one but I won't forget to say thanks. My father is recovering and I pray he will leave the hospital as soon as he can. The folks at Riverside Trauma Center here in your great city are outstanding. I can't thank them enough. Please allow me to thank the good people whom we don't even know who are praying for our family. I simply don't have the words in my vocabulary. God bless my mother who I know is now with my savior Jesus Christ and suffers none. God bless my father in his recovery and learning to live without momma.

Respectfully
Charlie Pittman

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+7 #5 Guest 2011-02-21 13:01

Wow this is sad and scary

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+20 #4 Guest 2011-02-21 12:57

To the Pittman family, our prayers are with you for your whole family, especially for Mr. Pittman's recovery at this time. What a terrible and random accident to happen to these good people.

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+19 #3 Guest 2011-02-21 10:13

What a sad story. Thank you for sharing you touching note, Christopher.

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+30 #2 Guest 2011-02-21 09:13

To the Pittman family,
Your grandparents were on one of the most beautiful roads in the country, and I'm sure they were enjoying the beauty until this tragic accident. As someone who uses this road daily, I will be reminded of them and your sadness. May grace nurture you at this time.

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