Young mother killed in wreck

Published 5:40 pm Sunday, November 27, 2016

One of 19-year-old Shelly Hash Warner’s biggest and proudest accomplishments in life was graduating from Buckingham County High School.

“She was very happy to graduate,” Christopher Hash, Shelly’s father, said. “It was a big day for her, because she struggled a little bit toward her 12th year in school. We had to work with her hard. When she graduated, she was really proud of that.”

Shelly — who was killed in a tragic crash that badly injured her 24-year-old husband, Jessy, and injured her 9-month-old son, Timothy — was always a happy girl, according to her father.

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“She enjoyed life, enjoyed her family,” Christopher said.

According to Virginia State Police, Shelly died at the scene of the crash on U.S. 15, less than one mile south of Route 630, in the early Sunday morning collision.

“A 2008 Chevrolet Impala was traveling north on Route 15, when it crossed the centerline into the southbound lane and struck head-on a 2000 Buick LeSabre,” State Police spokeswoman Corinne Geller said in the release.

The driver of the Impala, Torrey J. Branch, 22, of Burkeville, was transported to UVa Hospital in Charlottesville for treatment of serious, but non-life threatening injuries, Geller said. He was wearing a seatbelt. Charges are pending against Branch, according to Geller.

The oldest of three girls, Shelly also enjoyed the arts, drawing and caring for children, both at home and in high school, her father said.

“She liked art class and she did help with some child care across the street (at the preschool) from the high school where the little kids used to go,” Christopher said.

Shelly was not only proud of her accomplishments, but of her marriage and family, Christopher said.

Jessy, Christopher said Monday, was “pretty beat up” from the crash, and had been in surgery at UVa Hospital. Jessy sustained many broken bones, he said, including both hips, a wrist and a skull fracture.

“They’re trying to do multiple surgeries today and he’s probably going to be messed up for a very long time,” Christopher said. Police say Jessy was not wearing a seatbelt. The infant was in a child safety seat, while Shelly was wearing a seatbelt, according to police.

Regarding his grandson, Timothy, Christopher said he’s “got a few bruises and he’s absolutely fine.”

“She was definitely proud of her marriage and her family,” Christopher said of his daughter, adding that she and Jessy enjoyed hunting together.

“Not as often as, I guess, they wanted to, but she’d go (hunt) periodically with him,” Christopher said.

When asked of the specific charges against Branch, Geller said the crash remains under investigation and charges are pending.

“We don’t speculate on what those charges might be in advance of placing them,” Geller said.

According to Campbell County Circuit Court records, in June 2014, Branch was found guilty of driving while intoxicated, and sentenced to 30 days in jail, which was suspended. Branch had a restricted license for one year, and was sentenced with more than $450 in fines and court costs.

A Go Fund Me account and website have been set up for the family, and can be accessed by visiting https://www.gofundme.com/3117x2w or logging on to www.gofundme.com and searching “The Warner Family.”

As of Tuesday morning, the effort had raised $4,800.