A stretch of Fairground Road became the site of a fatal wreck early Wednesday morning when an SUV drifted off the pavement and struck a tree head-on. State police dispatched officers to the scene near Anmar Drive at 2:29 a.m. after receiving calls about the crash.
Investigators identified the driver as 33-year-old Ashley Nichole Martin. She was behind the wheel of a 2026 Hyundai Santa Fe heading down Fairground Road when the vehicle began veering off the left side of the asphalt.
The crossover traveled off the shoulder without correcting course before slamming directly into a large tree. The force of the front-end impact stopped the SUV right where it hit, leaving severe damage to the vehicle’s front end.
First responders arrived within minutes to clear the area and render aid. Despite the quick arrival of emergency crews, Martin died at the scene from injuries sustained during the collision.
State troopers reviewing the wreckage noted that Martin was not wearing a seat belt when the crash occurred. Safety investigators are still evaluating how much the lack of restraint contributed to the severity of her injuries.
A young passenger sitting inside the Hyundai managed to survive the wreck with minor injuries. Paramedics treated the juvenile at the crash site before ambulance crews transported the child to VCU Children’s Hospital for further medical care.
Virginia State Police continue to examine the roadway and the vehicle to determine what caused the SUV to leave the lane. Authorities have not released additional findings while the field investigation stays open.
Leave a Reply