Last Friday, we posted on The Gazette’s social media accounts, advising residents to steer clear of Route 47, as an accident had shut it down. Now the Virginia State Police have more details in the case.

According to Virginia State Police Public Relations Director Corinne Geller, the accident happened Friday, April 14 at 7:50 p.m. It was on Route 47, approximately 1.5 miles south of the intersection with Route 360.

Geller said a sedan traveling south on Route 47 ran off the right side of the road and struck a tree. The impact of the crash caused the vehicle to catch fire, which destroyed it. Geller said both the driver and passenger died at the scene. Their bodies have been taken to the Office of the Medical Examiner for an examination and autopsy. It’s still unclear what caused the accident, as Geller said the case is under investigation.