Virginia: author who lambasted the world’s nations over landmines became a rolling death machine in fatal crash; held on no bail for DUI

CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA. — 08/18/2014 — A man who wrote with exceptional passion, according to many reviewers of his books, about the many tragic deaths caused by landmines left behind by war lords and modern armies, became a rolling land mine of his own last week when he allegedly drove while impaired and killed an Albemarle County Virginia resident.

The Albemarle County Police Department is investigating a fatal crash which occurred on Thursday, August 14th 2014.The crash occurred at 6:27 pm in the 9600 block of the Rockfish Gap Turnpike or Rt. 250 near Rt. 151 by Afton. Two vehicles and a tractor trailer were involved in the crash. At this time, the circumstances of the crash remain under investigation. 

Donovan James Webster, 55,  from Charlottesville, was arrested at the scene and charged with Driving Under the Influence. He could be facing additional charges, pending further investigation. Donovan was driving one of the vehicles involved in the crash.The driver of the other vehicle, Wayne Thomas White, was killed in the crash. White was 75 years old and from Waynesboro.

The driver of the tractor trailer is not facing any charges related to the crash.

Donovan appeared in court for his bond hearing on Aug. 15th and was denied bail. He is due back in court on Oct. 16, 2014.  The crash remains under investigation by the Crash Reconstruction Team and police report that more charges could be forthcoming.

Donovan was an acclaimed author, reports ABC news. Webster wrote for Outside magazine, The New Yorker and National Geographic.

Webster is a former senior editor for Outside magazine and has written for The New Yorker, National Geographic and other magazines.

The Daily Progress, a newspaper in Charlottesville provided a second feature article about Webster, lauding his illustrious career over ten paragraphs with only one paragraph about his victim – that of the obituary.White was a native of Central Virginia who spent more than 20 years working for a tire company in Waynesboro. A longtime member of Union Baptist Church in Afton, White is described as a generous and deeply religious man who had “a lifelong love of farming.”

White leaves behind 10 children, 19 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.

White’s funeral is scheduled for Thursday morning at Union Baptist Church.