Woman faces charges after head-on crash

A Nelson County woman faces a drunken driving charge following a head-on crash that sent her and two other people to the hospital Friday evening.
Police said Helen J. Ward, 47, caused the accident. She also faces a charge of driving with a revoked license.

Shortly before 5:30 p.m., the emergency communications center began receiving calls about a reckless driver, and then a report of an accident at the intersection of Route 53 and James Monroe Parkway, according to Lt. Shawn Schwertfeger, of the Albemarle police.
Ward’s westbound 1993 Ford SUV reportedly sideswiped a vehicle on Route 53 (Thomas Jefferson Parkway) before running head-on into the Mitsubishi, Schwertfeger said.

At the scene, rescue workers had to extricate Annie Reed, 35, and a 9-year-old from the Mitsubishi, said Schwertfeger. Both were listed in serious condition Friday evening with internal injuries at the University of Virginia Medical Center. There was no information available on them Saturday.
Ward also was taken to the hospital for treatment. She was listed in fair condition Saturday.The accident closed Route 53 for nearly two hours.
According to Nelson County Circuit Court records, Ward has twice been convicted of drunken driving, and was convicted in May for driving on a revoked license.

The investigation into Friday’s accident continues, and Ward could face more charges, Schwertfeger said.