(Henry County, VA) – Investigators with the Virginia State Police believe street racing led to an accident on US 220 just south of Martinsville in the early hours of Thursday morning that left one individual dead.  Authorities responded just after 1:40AM to the 2500 block of Greensboro road for reports of two vehicle accidents.

The two cars a 2006 Chevrolet Malibu and a 2009 Pontiac were racing in the northbound lanes when the Pontiac ran off the right side of the road, struck a telephone pole and overturned several times. Following the initial crash, the Malibu ran off the left side of the road, crossed the median, traveled through the southbound lanes, struck an embankment and overturned. The two vehicles did not come in contact with each other according to a statement from the Virginia State Police.

The driver of the Pontiac, Shamon D. Massey, 22, of Martinsville, Va., died at the scene. He was wearing a seatbelt.  The driver of the Malibu, Latoshia E. Hairston, 27, of Martinsville, Va., was treated for non-life-threatening injuries. She also was wearing a seatbelt. Hairston was charged with reckless driving and more charges are pending. Two other individuals were in the Malibu but they fled the scene after the accident.

The investigation is ongoing.