Chincoteague Residents Involved In Fatal Accident

Chincoteague residents, once again, are greiving the loss of two residents and await  anxiously for any imformation concerning the driver of the vehicle who is a Chincoteague resident also.  Our thoughts and prayers go out to all those that have been saddened by this tragedy.  Photos are by Kenneth Lewis.


 CHINCOTEAGUE, Va. (WAVY) - Virginia State Police said two people died in a head-on collision on the Eastern Shore Monday evening.

The accident occurred in Accomack County onthe  Route 175, Chincoteague Causeway, Virginia State Police Sgt. Michelle Anaya said.

A 2004 Volvo driven by 63-year-old Ivan Klychnik, of California, was traveling westbound when he swerved into the eastbound lanes striking a 1995 Ford Taurus driven by 47-year-old Christina Gallagher, of Chincoteague.

Klychnik was flown to the hospital with minor injuries.
Gallagher was traveling with two other passengers who were pronounced dead at the scene of the accident.

Police said Gallagher's front seat passenger, 67-year-old Robert Cherrix, of 4100 Cherrix Lane in Chincoteague, was not wearing his seat belt and died at the scene.


The rear seat passenger, 62-year-old Laurence Gordon Cherrix, of New Church, Virginia was not wearing his seat belt and also died at the scene, police said.

Gallager was also not wearing her seat belt and was flown to the hospital with major injuries.

Police said alcohol was not a factor in the accident. An investigation into what caused the accident remains ongoing.

Source; wavy.com http://www.wavy.com/dpp/news/local_news/two-killed-in-head-on-collision