From Fredericksburg Police Department
On November 2nd at approximately 11:55 a.m., the Fredericksburg Police
Communications Center received a call for a report of a traffic accident in the 2300 block of Plank
Road/Route 3 east. Patrol officers responded and located a six-vehicle traffic accident that
involved a tractor-trailer operating without a trailer. The investigation revealed that the tractor was
driving eastbound on Route 3 and moved from the center to the right lane. The tractor crashed into
vehicles that were stopped for the red-light at the intersection of Route 3 and Gateway Boulevard.
There was no indication of the tractor braking.
When officers arrived at the accident, one person was discovered to be fatally injured. The
deceased has been identified as Shari Laney, 54, of Spotsylvania County. Her next of kin has been
notified.
Three people were transported to a nearby hospital for medical attention. One of the victims
has been released from the hospital. The other two remain hospitalized with one in critical
condition.
The driver of the tractor, James Edward Lee, 62, of Georgia, was transported by EMS to a
nearby hospital for medical attention where he remains hospitalized. The Fredericksburg Police
Department has obtained a felony warrant for involuntary manslaughter and a misdemeanor
warrant for reckless driving against Lee.
The Fredericksburg Police Department would like to thank the Fredericksburg Sheriff’s
Office, the Fredericksburg Fire Department, the Virginia State Police, and the Spotsylvania County
Fire Department for their quick response and assistance with this incident.
