SPARTANBURG HERALD-JOURNAL (on-line version)
http://www.GoUpstate.com/
Spartanburg, South Carolina

Posted on-line November 22, 2001

Two Killed in Separate Accidents

By Janet S. Spencer
Herald-Journal Staff Writer

A driver from Gaffney and another from Cowpens died in separate traffic accidents in Cherokee County.
Lance Cpl. Bryan McDougald with the Highway Patrol said Wednesday that speed was a factor in both crashes.

Timothy Lee Parker, 29, of 1255 Beacon Light Road, Cowpens, died at 5:40 p.m. Tuesday.
Parker was operating a 1992 Chevrolet pickup truck at a high rate of speed when he lost control and struck a tree on Hammett's Grove Road.
The accident occurred in a 55 m.p.h. zone. McDougald said alcohol was not suspected in Parker's death, and investigators were still working to determine his estimated speed.

About four hours later, a second crash claimed the life of a Gaffney man outside of Blacksburg.
Blacksburg Police Chief David Gibson said Sgt. Al Phillips using radar clocked a car traveling 61 mph in a 35 mph zone just after 10 p.m.
The officer's radar locked in at 51 m.p.h. as the car came into town on Highway 5, Gibson said.
"The car had a small emergency tire on the right front but was able to drive fast enough to elude the officer," Gibson said.
Phillips said he lost sight of the car after it went through downtown and made a left turn onto South Charleston Street. He gave up the chase, but continued down South Charleston when he noticed everything was dark.
The blue lights on his patrol car were ripped off by a dangling power line that fell after the fleeing car hit a utility pole, Gibson said.
When Phillips stopped his car, he found the wrecked car in a yard.
McDougald said the driver, Arthur Ray Weaver, 28, of 504 Holly St., died on the scene. The posted speed limit was 45 mph.
A passenger, Marvin L. Beaver, 50, of 216 Triangle Road, Gaffney, was taken to Spartanburg Regional Medical Center where he was in intensive care, authorities said Wednesday.
Both Weaver and Beaver were ejected from the wreckage. Neither was wearing seat belts.
McDougald said the 1997 Honda trapped Weaver underneath. Beaver was thrown about 75 feet.
Alcohol and speed are being considered as factors in the death of Weaver, McDougald said.

SPARTANBURG HERALD-JOURNAL (on-line version)
http://www.GoUpstate.com/
Spartanburg, South Carolina

Posted on-line July 27, 2001

Man Rescued from Flames
CLOSE CALL: Fireman Battles Smoke to Pull 82-year-old from His Burning Bedroom; Man Suffers Second-degree Burns in Fire

By Julie Woodcock
Herald-Journal Staff Writer

When Blacksburg volunteer firefighter Ty Satterwhite pulled up at the smoke-filled apartment of John O'Keefe Thursday afternoon, he could hear the 82-year-old man screaming for help.
Satterwhite, 21, arrived at Blacksburg Terrace Apartments just before the firetruck. Satterwhite didn't have his breathing mask or air pack. A paid firefighter in Charlotte, N.C., who had been training since age 15, Satterwhite had been taught never to enter a burning building alone or without an air pack.
But he couldn't listen to those screams.
The smoke was so thick he could not see, but he crawled through the apartment on his stomach, following O'Keefe's cries.
"I couldn't see anything until I got to the corner," Satterwhite said. "I could see the bed on fire. He was sitting on the bed. I just grabbed him by the wrist and pulled him out."
O'Keefe, a diabetic, recently had part of his foot removed for gangrene and has to use a walker. Apparently, smoke inhalation and pain had disabled him so much he couldn't escape by himself.
He later told firefighters he was smoking in bed and set the mattress on fire.
Firefighters dragged out the burning mattress and extinguished it. The apartment suffered smoke damage.
Maintenance Director David Pringle said he was impressed by Satterwhite's courage.
"He needs some recognition for that," he said. "It's unbelievable the smoke that was in this place. He could have waited until he got a mask. I know he saved that man's life."
Pringle had tried to save O'Keefe himself when he discovered the apartment was on fire a few minutes earlier, about 3 p.m.
He said he was delivering flyers when he heard O'Keefe's smoke alarm beeping through the door, but when he looked through the window, he couldn't see in the residence.
"I opened the door and smoke came rolling out," Pringle said. "John yelled, 'I need you!' I tried to get in ... the smoke was too heavy. I couldn't see."
Pringle slipped his shirt over his face as he tried to reach O'Keefe, but the smoke forced him back. He ran to his apartment and told his wife to call the fire department.
O'Keefe suffered second degree burns on his hands and side. He was transported to Upstate Carolina Medical Center, where he was listed in fair condition Thursday evening.
Pringle also praised the Blacksburg Police Department, which he said has been helping O'Keefe.
According to records clerk Tammy Bright, Assistant Blacksburg Police Chief Jamie Ham has been taking O'Keefe meals and washing his clothing.
Bright and several officers have visited O'Keefe to take food and talk.
"He has hardly any family," she said. "He's a nice guy."
His smoking habit has been a source of worry, however.
"He'd lay there asleep with a cigarette in his hand," Bright said.