One person was killed Tuesday afternoon in a tragic vehicle accident in the parking lot of White Oak Manor Nursing facility in the City of Newberry. Coroner Craig Newton said that Virginia Ann Lawton, 69 years of age, of Chapin, S.C. died due to injuries sustained in the accident. The incident occurred at approximately 3:15 p.m. Newton stated that Lawton had been sitting in her vehicle for a very short period of time in the parking lot. "She apparently put the vehicle in reverse gear and then for an unknown reason exited the vehicle and began walking to the back door area of the vehicle. At that point the vehicle began to roll backwards. Lawton attempted to re-enter the vehicle to put it in park but while doing so was knocked to the ground by the open driver's door", Newton said. "Sadly the uncontrolled vehicle rolled over Ms. Lawton, trapping her" added Newton. The decedent was transported to Newberry Memorial Hospital and was pronounced dead shortly after her arrival. An autopsy is scheduled for Wednesday morning. The accident remains under the investigation of the Newberry City Police Department and the Newberry County Coroner's Office.
