June 11, 2009
Press Release

Bedford County Man Dies in Lawn Tractor Accident

PRESS RELEASE Thursday June 11, 2009

At 4:27 p.m. today, Bedford County 911 dispatch received a call reporting a tractor accident at 1705 Blankenship Road, Vinton, Va. The caller, the victim’s son, advised that he and a friend had found the victim submerged in a small pond and he was unresponsive. Bedford County deputies along with the Stewartsville Rescue Squad responded to the scene. The caller advised deputies that he believed the victim had been in the water for approximately 20 minutes prior to being found. The victim was pronounced dead at the scene.

Deputies on the scene believe that the victim lost control of the lawn tractor going down a steep embankment. The lawn tractor and victim struck a tree at the edge of the pond and the impact with the tree threw the victim into the water. The accident occurred prior to the heavy rain that moved through the area.

The victim is Donald G. Sexton, age 62, 1705 Blankenship Road, Vinton, Va.

Major Ricky Gardner

Chief Deputy

Bedford County Sheriff's Office

1345 Falling Creek Road

Bedford, Virginia 24523

540-586-7699 Desk

540-586-9100 Fax

ROCIC Board of Director

Representative, Virginia