Crime and police briefs - Richmond.com

Fourth person dies after Greene County house fire

A fourth person has died following a house fire two weeks ago in Greene County, the Ruckersville Volunteer Fire Department confirmed on Sunday.

Jackie Morris, 70, died Saturday evening from her injuries. Three of her family members — Cynthia Morris, 26; Jeremy Morris, 21; and Camden Morris, 6 — died Dec. 18 in the fire on Matthew Mill Road.

Cynthia, Jeremy and Camden Morris had moved in with Morris and her husband, Eddie Morris, after their father died from cancer earlier in the year.

Greene County residents have set up online fundraising efforts to help offset funeral costs and other expenses.

Ruckersville Fire Chief Sean Ryan said Sunday that the cause of the fire was still under investigation.

Homeowners and renters should make sure that power strips aren’t overloaded, that space heaters aren’t plugged into power strips and that smoke detectors are working, authorities say.

Officials have said the Morris home had no working smoke detectors.

“Check your smoke detectors,” Ryan said. “If you don’t have them, or they’re not working, we’ll install them free of charge.”

Single-vehicle accident kills driver in Dinwiddie

A young Blackstone woman was killed late Saturday when her car veered off U.S. 460 in Dinwiddie County and struck a tree, state police said.

Killed was Brittni Iman Jennings, 21.

Police said the 11:30 p.m. wreck occurred as Jennings was traveling westbound on U.S. 460 in a 2004 Ford Mustang. Jennings ran off the road to the left, overcorrected and then veered to the right, causing her vehicle to spin around and strike a tree on the driver’s side door, police said.

Jennings, who was wearing a safety belt, died at the scene, police said. Speed is being considered as a factor in the crash, which is under investigation.

West Virginia man is found dead in bitter cold

CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Police say a man has been found dead on a porch in West Virginia in bitterly cold weather.

Charleston police Chief Steve Cooper told media that the middle-aged man was found Sunday on a porch and appeared “frozen to death,” but substance abuse is also suspected as a factor.

Neighbors in the area say the man was homeless. His name wasn’t released. No foul play is suspected.

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