Virginia State Police Investigate Fatal Crash in Botetourt County
- BTW21
- Apr 1
- 2 min read
Botetourt County, VA – (BTW21) March 31, 2025 – Virginia State Police are investigating a tragic single-vehicle crash that claimed the lives of three people on Monday evening.
The incident occurred at 6:22 p.m. in the 7500 block of Roanoke Road (Route 220) in Botetourt County.
According to authorities, a 2016 Jeep Wrangler was traveling southbound on Route 220 when, for reasons still under investigation, the vehicle veered off the left side of the road and struck a tree.
The impact of the crash caused severe damage to the vehicle, and all three individuals inside were pronounced dead at the scene.
The driver of the vehicle, identified as 61-year-old James Roosevelt Winston, Jr. of North Chesterfield, Virginia, was wearing his seatbelt at the time of the crash.
Despite this, he succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene.
The passengers in the vehicle, 50-year-old William Julian Cosby and 34-year-old Corey Allen Byrd, both of Roanoke, Virginia, were not wearing their seatbelts and also died at the scene. Their deaths highlight the critical importance of seatbelt usage while driving.
Preliminary investigations suggest that speed may have been a contributing factor to the crash.
The Virginia State Police are continuing to gather evidence and details as they work to determine the exact cause of the incident.
Authorities are urging anyone with information related to the crash to come forward as the investigation remains ongoing.
This tragic incident serves as a reminder of the importance of seatbelt use and safe driving practices to prevent further loss of life on Virginia’s roadways.
For updates on the investigation, the Virginia State Police encourages the public to stay tuned to BTW21 News.