MECKLENBURG COUNTY, Va. (WRIC) — The South Hill Police Department has identified the woman who died after crashing into a Mecklenburg County warehouse on Saturday, resulting in a massive fire.
According to police, 41-year-old Jennifer Fields of South Hill died the afternoon of Saturday, July 6, hours after a deadly crash that resulted in a catastrophic fire at the Nutrien Ag Solutions warehouse, located at 501 W. Danville Street.
Police said Fields crashed into a light pole, then the warehouse and finally struck two propane tanks, igniting the blaze.
“The preliminary investigation indicates that speed was a factor in this crash,” police said in the July 8 update.
Numerous fire crews responded to the scene and spent hours fighting the fire.
The warehouse, which was used to store pesticides and fertilizers used by local farmers, was considered a total loss. However, it was empty at the time of the crash, meaning injuries were limited to Fields and several firefighters.
In total, 15 firefighters were taken to local hospitals for treatment of heat exhaustion and chemical exposure.
The investigation into this incident continues. If you have any relevant information, contact the South Hill Police Department at 434-447-3104.