The driver of a pickup truck died instantly yesterday afternoon when he entered US 58 from Highway 703 and was struck broadside by a tractor-trailer rig filled with over 43,000 lbs. of scrap paper.
Neither the name of the victim nor his address was available at press time.
Driver of the tractor-trailer, 54-year old James Muse of Richmond, told The Gazette-Virginian that he was heading east when the pickup "came right out in the road."
Skid marks in both eastbound lanes show how Muse attempted to stop as he swerved into the passing lane where the impact occurred.
Muse said that he was wearing his seat belt. "That was only thing that saved me!" he added while describing how he attempted to steer his rig to a stop.
The impact hurled the pickup truck down an embankment where he came to rest on the driver's side with the victim partially pinned beneath.
The rig traveled an even further distance and down an embankment which caused the trailer to overturn onto its side and completely block both eastbound lanes of US 58.
Fuel oil and other fluids from the rig continued to spill while two wreckers belonging to Franklin's Garage worked to remove the debris.
The tractor-trailer, considered to be a total loss, was owned by J&E Trucking of Richmond.
Yesterday's fatality was the first for Halifax County in 1999. Last year, 12 persons lost their lives on county roadways.

FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) - Governors from six tobacco-dependent states want cigarette manufacturers to finance a $5.15 billion trust fund to protect farmers.
With demand for tobacco down sharply in U.S. markets and a growing public health attack on smoking, ''the only viable course of action to ensure the protection of our farmers and their future,'' the governors said in a joint statement Monday.
Govs. Jim Hunt of North Carolina, Paul Patton of Kentucky, Jim Gilmore of Virginia, Jim Hodges of South Carolina, Roy Barnes of Georgia and Don Sundquist of Tennessee are scheduled to meet with cigarette company officials Wednesday in Durham, N.C., along with their attorneys general and agriculture commissioners
The negotiations began following last year's $206 billion agreement by tobacco companies to settle state lawsuits seeking reimbursement for the cost of treating smoking-related illnesses. The agreement also required the companies to meet with political leaders of tobacco states to talk about the concerns of the growers, who were not included in the deal.
The first meeting was held a month ago.
Philip Morris, the industry leader, already has said it will contribute $300 million to the trust fund this year. But the company also said future payments would depend on what is done by the other tobacco companies - R.J. Reynolds, Brown & Williamson and Lorillard.
Reynolds initially opposed creation of a trust fund, saying a better way to help farmers was to promise to buy more American-grown tobacco.
Last week, the U.S. Department of Agriculture announced that cigarette makers plan to purchase 291 million pounds of burley tobacco in 1999, a 31 percent drop from a year ago. Flue-cured tobacco quotas are down about 30 percent from two years ago.
''The dramatic reduction in the intent to purchase tobacco for the 1999 crop requires immediate and substantial action to avert financial disaster as the 1999 crop comes to market next year,'' the governors' statement said.
The national tobacco settlement brought increases in the price of cigarettes and is expected to further depress demand for tobacco growers' crops.

Over 50 exhibitors along with state and national political representatives are scheduled to meet with tobacco growers on Saturday, February 13, for the seventh annual Virginia Tobacco Conference and Trade Show. The event takes place at Halifax County High School and is sponsored by the Virginia Cooperative Extension and Virginia Tobacco Growers Association.
Fifth District Congressman Virgil H. Goode will be joined by Virginia State Senator Charles Hawkins of Chatham, Delegate Frank M. Ruff of Clarksville and Halifax County's own Delegate W.W. "Ted" Bennett .
Rep. Goode will begin with a legislative forum at 1:00 p.m. and will discuss the tobacco issues facing the 106th Congress as well as the Master Settlement Agreement between the states and cigarette manufacturers.
Following Goode's remarks, the forum will provide growers an opportunity to ask questions to all the program speakers.
This year's format has been changed slightly from previous conferences and begins with the trade show at 9:30 a.m. in the high school gym. The school is located on Highway 716 between the towns of Halifax and South Boston.
The trade show will remain open until 1:00 p.m. and allow tobacco growers, company and industry representatives an opportunity to exchange ideas and information on all aspects of flue tobacco production, curing and marketing.
Lunch will be available by a local volunteer fire department in the cafeteria from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. No formal program will be held during lunch.
A brief meeting of the Virginia Tobacco Growers Association will conclude the conference.
All tobacco growers and allotment holders have been particularly encouraged to attend and there is no admission fee.
Additional information concerning the Virginia Tobacco Conference and Trade Show can be obtained by contacting the Virginia Cooperative Extension Office at (804)476-2147 or the Virginia Tobacco Growers Association President, Don Anderson at (804)572-6031.
Persons with a disability and who need assistance or accommodations to participate in the event can contact the Halifax Extension Office five working days prior to the event.

The annual dark-fired tobacco production meeting will be held on Tuesday, January 26, at the Eureka Elementary School near Keysville in Charlotte County The meeting will begin at 5 00 p.m. with a sponsored dinner and conclude around 9 00 pm.
The major topic for discussion will be two black shank resistant dark-fired tobacco varieties available for the upcoming production season. The new varieties, VA 355 and VA 359 have performed well in both research and on-farm plantings. Other topics of interest include disease management, insect control and general production information.
The Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services has approved this production meeting for private pesticide applicator recertification credit in the license categories of 80, 81, 82, 83. Participants are reminded that the entire meeting must be attended to gain recertification credit.
Since a meal is provided for participants, pre-registration is requested. Contact Bob Jones, Extension Agent-ANR, at the Charlotte Extension Office (804-542-5884) to pre-register for this meeting or if there are any questions. If Virginia Cooperative Extension can be of assistance to you or anyone you know, do not hesitate to contact the office.
If you are a person with a disability and require any auxiliary aids, services, or other accommodations for these activities, please call the Charlotte County Extension Office to discuss your accommodation needs (804) 542-5884.
You can also preregister with the Virginia Cooperative Extension Halifax Office by calling (8 04) 476 -2147.

A man arrested by Roxboro, N.C. authorities and being held in jail there on fraud charges has also been arrested on charges alleging he bilked a trio of individuals in Halifax County.
Lloyd Carnell Currie, 43, of Ridgeway is being held in the Roxboro, N.C. jail on a fugitive warrant charging him with three felony fraud charges relating to incidents here.
Currie is charged with obtaining money under false pretenses from Ann Ward and Carl Ward on January 3 and obtaining money under false pretenses from Sue Tysinger on January 4.
All of the three frauds were were charges as being third or subsequent offenses.
A hearing on the trio of local charges has been set for March 5 in Halifax County General District Court. That hearing date, however, is tentative in that it is dependent actions taken by North Carolina authorities.
Sheriff's Department officials said yesterday that Currie allegedly would go door to door asking for $20. He would tell the homeowner or individual that came to the door that his vehicle was broken down on the highway and then ask for $20 to have the wrecker pick up the vehicle and repair it.
Major R.L. Link said there has been a rash of these types of incidents occurring in Halifax County and that area residents are being cautioned not to give money to strangers who come to their door.
"There is still a suspect going door to door with this same scam that has not been arrested," said Sheriff D.J. Oakes.
"Anyone who encounters an incident similar to this is asked to contact the sheriff's department," added Oakes.

Scottsburg Volunteer Fire Department officials are still probing the cause of a fire yesterday morning that heavily damaged a residence near the Bethel Community early yesterday morning.
Scottsburg fire chief Butch Barker had no dollar estimate of the damage done to the home of Millard Phillips on North Terry's Bridge Road but did say that two rooms in the upstairs portion of the home and the downstairs living room sustained fire damage.
Three rooms downstairs sustained heavy smoke and water damage and a majority of the contents and clothing in the house were damaged.
Barker said that the cause of the fire has not yet been determined.
"The owner told us the fire started upstairs and went down the stairs and lit up the living room," Barker said.
Barker said one room of the house was fully involved when the first firefighters reached the scene shortly after receiving the 3:08 a.m. call. Firemen from the Scottsburg and Halifax Volunteer Fire Departments were able to bring the fire under control within about a half an hour of their arrival.
Eleven firemen from the Scottsburg Volunteer Fire Department responded to the call and brought three trucks to the scene. A dozen firemen from the Halifax Volunteer Fire Department assisted the Scottsburg firemen and brought two trucks to the scene.
Firemen were on the scene for just over two and a half hours.

Deacon William Eubanks Jr. of Shiloh Church Road, Nathalie died Saturday, January 16, 1999 at Halifax Regional Hospital.
Mr. Eubanks was born on February 1, 1919 and was the son of William Henry Eubanks Sr. and Sarah Eubanks and was married to Alice 'Noby' Eubanks. He was a member of St. Michael Baptist Church and a World War II Army Veteran.
Survivors include his wife of the home; one step-daughter, Almarie Jones of Somerdale, NJ; two step-sons, Robert Jennings of Atglen, PA and Alphonso Jennings of Richmond, CA; his step-mother, Sarah Eubanks of Keysville; one step-sister, Elizabeth Jones of Keysville; and nine step-grandchildren.
Funeral services for Deacon Eubanks will be held Saturday, January 23 at 1 p.m. at New Shiloh Baptist Church in Nathalie with Rev. David Fitzgerald conducting the service. Burial will follow in St. Michael Baptist Church Cemetery in Drakes Branch.
The family will receive friends Friday, January 22 from 7 until 9:00 at New Shiloh Baptist Church and other times at the home.

Joseph Reed Wood of Newport News died Saturday, January 16, 1999 in Newport News at the age of 40.
Mr. Wood was born in Baltimore, MD on March 19, 1958 the son of Jessie and Lillie Reed.
Survivors include one son, Deon Wood of Newport News; his parents of Baltimore; four sisters, Edith Easley of Halifax, Carolyn Thigpen, Jessie Long and Rosa Randolph, all of Baltimore; five brothers, Harvey, Louis, Lee, Allen and Jimmie Wood, all of Baltimore.
Funeral services for Mr. Wood will be held today, January 20 at 1 p.m. at St. Paul CME Church in Halifax with Rev. George Brown officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery.
The family will receive friends at the home of his sister, 2103 Meadville Road, Nathalie.

Irene Hupp Fink, 87, of Statesville Blvd., Salisbury, NC died Saturday, January 16, 1999 at her home.
Mrs. Fink was born October 25, 1911 in Halifax County the daughter of Rosa Shepard Hupp and Phillip Thomas Hupp and was married to James Adam Fink. She was retired as a public school teacher having taught in Cleveland and Hurley Schools. Earlier she taught in Virginia. She was a member of Milford Hills United Methodist Church, the Friendly Neighborhood Group and the Women's Circle.
Survivors include one son, George H. Fink of Salisbury; two stepsons, James Milo Fink of Fairview, NC and Richard L. Fink of Salisbury; one sister, Annie Hupp of Salisbury; six grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.

Funeral services for Mrs. Fink were held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, January 19 at Milford Hills United Methodist Church with Revs. Mike Kurtz and Ernest Mullins officiating. Burial was in the Woodleaf United Methodist Church Cemetery in Woodleaf, NC.
Those wishing to give memorials are asked to consider the church or Rowan Regional Home Health & Hospice, 825-A West Henderson St., Salisbury, NC 28144.

Luther James Powell of 3057 North Terry's Bridge Road, Halifax died Sunday, January 17, 1999 at Halifax Regional Hospital. He was 88 years of age at the time of his death.
Mr. Powell was born in Halifax County on May 29, 1910 the son of George Cleveland Powell and Eva Bliss Powell and was married to Martha Hackney Powell. He was a member of Dan River Baptist Church where he served as a deacon and usher.
Survivors include his wife of the home; two daughters, Peggy L. Powell and Patsy P. Weaver, both of Rockville, MD; four sons, Glenn Powell, Mark Powell and Donnie Powell, all of Halifax and James Powell of Fordland; eight sisters, Vena Watts of Richmond, Pauline Hancock and Dorothy Lacks of Halifax, Lanier Canada, Elsie Owen, and Margaret Canada, all of South Boston, Lillian Smith and Mary Lee Smith, both of Scottsburg; one brother, Calvin 'Runt' Powell of South Boston; five grandchildren, Steve Powell, Tracey Eanes, Scott Weaver, Chris Weaver and Lisa Powell; one great-grandson, Blake Powell; and a number of nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by one sister, Hallie P. Hackney, and three brothers, Wilson Powell, Joe Powell and Alton Powell.

Funeral services for Mr. Powell will be held today, January 20 at 2 p.m. at Dan River Baptist Church With Revs. Joe Brewer, Jack Stewart and Dr. Dennis Knight conducting the service. Burial will take place in the church cemetery.

Sallie McKinney Miller of Scottsburg died Monday, January 18, 1999 at The Woodview. She was 100 years of age.
Mrs. Miller was born in Halifax County on September 26, 1898 the daughter of William McKinney and Lucy Ann Cumbie McKinney and was married to Clarence Cable Miller. She was a member of Fork Baptist Church.
Survivors include three daughters, Mary Miller Richmond and Nell Miller Meyers, both of Richmond and Annie Miller Bowers of Baskerville; two sons, John Randolph Miller of Chester and Billy Wesley Miller of South Boston; 14 grandchildren; 23 great-grandchildren and six great-great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by three sons, Berkley, Lonnie and Willie Lee Miller, and one daughter, Martha Miller.
Graveside services for Mrs. Miller will be held today, January 20 at 1 p.m. at Fork Baptist Church Cemetery with Rev. Michael Phillips conducting the service.
The family will receive friends today, January 20 at Powell Funeral Home from 11 a.m. to noon.

Augusta Riley Williams, 87, of the Dobyns community of Stuart, died Sunday, January 10, 1999, at Patrick Community Hospital in Stuart.
He was born December 26, 1911, in Patrick County, and was a son of the late James Sparrell and Ellen Jones Williams. He was preceded in death by his wife, Thelma Jane Slate Williams.
Surviving are six children, Riley Williams of Bassett, Vera Wood of South Boston, Violet Hubbard, Joan Smith, Essie Holt and Gail Flippin, all of Stuart; 12 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.
Funeral services were held Tuesday, January 12 at Howell Funeral Home chapel in Stuart. Burial was in the Dobyns Community Primitive Baptist Church cemetery.

David Rogers of South Boston died Sunday, January 17, 1999 at Halifax Regional Hospital. He was 63 years of age.
Mr. Rogers was born June 8, 1935 in South Boston the son of Silas Bates and Mamie Ratliff and was married to Rebecca Tindal Rogers.
Survivors include his wife; one son, David Rogers of New York; one sister, Roslyn Fields of Queens, NY; one brother-in-law, Abe Fields; three uncles, Lazarus Bates of South Boston, Terry Rogers of Portsmouth and George Rogers of Virginia Beach; one aunt, Pearl Rogers of New York; one great-aunt, Fannie Brooks of South Boston; devoted cousins and other relatives and friends.
Funeral services for Mr. Rogers will be held Thursday, January 21 at 2 p.m. at Dan River View Missionary Baptist Church with Rev. V.W. Brayboy Jr. officiating. Burial will follow in the family cemetery.
The family will receive friends tonight, January 20 from 7 until 8:00 at the chapel of Kent, Ballou and Crowder Funeral Service.