One of the vehicles in the accident after the roof was removed by emergency personnel.
One Blacksburg man died Monday in a crash on North Main Street near Maple Ridge.
Tung Sheng Chang, 63, of Blacksburg died after his Nissan sedan was struck by the pickup truck of Donald Calvin Overton, a 57-year-old from Newport.
Overton has been charged with driving under the influence.
Blacksburg Police said in a press release that Chang was turning from Red Maple Drive onto North Main Street when his vehicle was hit in the intersection by Overton’s truck.
“Overton’s pickup continued through the intersection to strike an unoccupied Dodge minivan in a driveway and finally the garage of a private residence located in the 1700 block of North Main Street,” the release said.
Police had to remove the roof of Chang’s mangled Nissan in order to extricate him from the vehicle.
Both men were transported to Montgomery Regional Hospital, where Chang was pronounced dead despite several attempts to revive him between the scene of the accident and the hospital.
The Life-Guard helicopter attempted to respond to the situation but was not able to land because of bad weather conditions.
Multiple Blacksburg Transit bus routes were altered as a result of the accident.
A Blacksburg Transit spokesman said around 6:40 p.m. Monday night that traffic was being re-routed. He said the Blacksburg Police department had instructed bus drivers to re-route their routes immediately.
He said the Blacksburg Transit would not be servicing any area north of Patrick Henry Drive tonight until further notice. He said that the Main Street route, instead of turning right onto North Main Street, would instead go straight across and time check at the regular Patrick Henry Drive time check.
The Blacksburg Police press release at 10 p.m. Monday night said North Main Street was still closed.
Overton is being held in Montgomery County jail without bond.
A version of this article appeared in the Dec 7 issue of the Collegiate Times.
Leave a comment 77 Comments Write a letter to the editor
All letters to the editor must include a name, e-mail, daytime phone number and affiliation to Virginia Tech. Affiliation includes: year and major for students; position and department for faculty and staff; current city for alumni and parents.
Any updates on this? It looked really bad.
Reply to this Top
WDBJ7.com, the local news station, is reporting one fatality.
Reply to this Top
"Overton was arrested for driving under the influence and is being held in Montgomery County Jail without bail."
You've got to be kidding me. Another person dies because of someone driving under the influence?
Reply to this Top
Is TS Chang the amazing physics teacher Roger Chang?
Reply to this Top
Dr. Chang, the Physics professor, spells his name Tsu-Sheng Chang according to phys.vt.edu
If it is the same Chang, he was one of the greatest professors I have had to date. Lets keep him in our prayers.
Reply to this Top
No the man is not the professor you are thinking about.
Top
Can get an update here? The entire campus thinks it's the Physics professor and if it is not we need to know before ASAP
Top
I was in traffic at the accident. There was a China Inn car topper to the right side of the vehicle. It is not a Virginia Tech professor.
Top
The great TS Chang we all know is not this TS Chang. "Roger" is not 63 years old, and his real name is not Tung Sheng, it is Tsu Sheng.
Regardless, RIP Tung Sheng Chang.
Reply to this Top
This comment has been buried by moderation (show comment)
Reply to this Top
I saw the car that night. It was a delivery driver for China Inn. the sign topper for the car was on the road next to the vehicle.
Reply to this Top
Because only rednecks drink and drive? What an ignorant comment.
Reply to this Top
Maybe this is wishful thinking, but you'd assume the article would name Chang as being a Virginia Tech employee rather than saying "of blacksburg." Here's to hoping
Reply to this Top
then again it's the CT. Technically Chang could live in blacksburg and be both a blacksburg resident and a VT employee/professor.
However this article says this Chang is 63. Professor Chang doesn't look 63 to me, so hopefully/probably not him.
Reply to this Top
Is this Roger Chang?????????????
Top
i would also like to restate what was said above how CT spells the name differently in the article then how Professor Chang spells his name.
Regardless of who this was, please keep the victim in your prayers.
Top
It is not Roger Chang.
Top
The president of China Inn restaurant is named Tung Chang
Reply to this Top
I'm pretty sure he drives an old red car.
Top
I'm pretty sure he drives an old red car.
Top
Almost positive it's him. RIP
Top
I think the Chen's run the China Inn in Blacksburg
Top
Many websites list Tung Chang as the owner of China Inn, and maybe it's a coincidence, but China Inn is closed today.
Top
Still what are the odds that the initials are the same with the same last name in the same town. Perhaps it's misspelled by the CT? If its not professor chang perhaps he's related to professor chang? I just don't think it's professor chang because he doesn't look 63. Then again I don't know professor chang's age.
Reply to this Top
The owner of China Inn is Tung Chang. I think he is younger than 63, too. But there are many Changs.
Reply to this Top
...there are PLENTY of Chinese (as well as other Asian ethnicities) people in the Blacksburg area/attending or working at Virginia Tech. come on people. It is like saying is there any other Joe Johnson in Blacksburg. PROBABLY so
Reply to this Top
...there are PLENTY of Chinese (as well as other Asian ethnicities) people in the Blacksburg area/attending or working at Virginia Tech. come on people. It is like saying is there any other Joe Johnson in Blacksburg. PROBABLY so
Reply to this Top
It is obviously not Professor Chang if A-the name is spelled differently (in other newspaper reports it is spelled the same way the CT spelled it) Roger's name is TSU-Sheng, not TUNG-Sheng. and B-this professor is not 63.
While it is nice that everyone was freaking out thinking it was their beloved professor, why not show a little respect to Tung-Sheng Chang and those that knew him. Someone has died, tragically, whether it is a professor or not. His life was worth something too.
Reply to this Top
I do not think everyone was saying Tung Sheng Chang's life was not important, but many people were worried because the personally knew Professor Chang. They were simply worried.
Reply to this Top
Yeah, and I get that. Completely understandable to want to double check on who it is. But the comments like "Thank God it wasn't him" and stuff like that are going to end up hurting those that knew the man who DID die. His life was important too, talking about someone who is still alive all over this article just downplays the loss of THIS man in my opinion.
Top
People freak out when they lose someone they love. It's human nature.
Reply to this Top
RIP, another life cut short because of a drunk driver. :(
Reply to this Top
Saying things like "redneck" and other bully words about the good folks from Newport, is not in the spirit of this university. Just because you come from another area of the world, that you prefer, does not give you dominance over others that are not from that area. When you grow up and realize this, you will then begin to make a difference in the world. Until then, *you're* the problem. ..not the "Redneck from Newport". ..he deserves what he gets, no matter where he's from or what his lifestyle was.
Reply to this Top
Stupid people make stupid decisions. The Blacksburg/ Southwest Virginia townies that are not on the faculty of VT/ Radford are perfect examples of this. Brainless, slow Americans. Unfortunately in this situation, an individual who clearly immigrated from another country in a proactive attempt to better his life was murdered by one.
Reply to this Top
And the VT community wonders why relations between Tech and local residents are so poor...
Top
You've certainly proven your point that stupid people make stupid decisions. Criticizing all "not on the faculty of VT/ Radford" while many of those people would never combine and judge those "ON the faculty of VT/ Radford" by the actions of Seung-Hui Cho or Haiyang Zhu. May you learn compassion and patience.
Top
Do you even know any one on the rescue squad that tried to save this mans life? Probably not because you won't associate with stupid morons that aren't employed by VT. Dolt.
Top
The decision to drive while intoxicated has nothing to do with anything you have posted. It is embarassing to have statements such as this one available for public consumption. I am a "townie" as you would say, and have lived here nearly my entire life. Despite the fact that I chose not to attend Virginia Tech I would hope that an educated, intelligent person who has the opportunity to attend our fantastic unviersity would not make ignorant generalizations about this wonderful community and the people who have made it. Let's put the focus back on supporting and loving anyone affected by this horrible tragedy because that is where the attention belongs.
Top
This comment has been buried by moderation (show comment)
Top
i'm going to have to agree with the first poster. there is nothing wrong with it but from what i have seen the residents here are not particularly bright.
Top
wow. Just wow. Do you not realize that "the residents" are the very same people who teach you at VT? That run the school that you judgmental brats attend?
Top
You are the epitome of ignorance. I am baffled that someone could believe in such generalizations. "Brainless, slow Americans." Seriously? You embarrass the Virginia Tech community and are the reason we have poor relations with the local community.
Top
Although I agree that baseless, ignorant statements can foster poor relationships, I have to disagree. I do not think that Virginia Tech and its students have a poor relationship with the surrounding Blacksburg community - if you want to see bad university/ town relationships look at JMU. Those in the community who dislike the students or University do so because of the disturbances associated with drinking (particularly on the weekends). I really do not think many students go out of their way to dislike the "townies", and vice versa. Either way the town and University benefit off one another in different ways.
Top
Hey thanks for lumping all of us locals together you jerk!
Top
I just talked to Roger Chang, the physics professor, on the phone, it's not him, he's ok. Peace and our prayers be with Tung Sheng Chang and his family.
Reply to this Top
Just called roger chang, he's fine sitting at home..but still RIP Tung Sheng Chang.
Reply to this Top
Yes, he was with China Inn. He was always very kind to me, always treated me to special and delicious dishes. He went out of his way to be nice to me. I will remember him very fondly, and my condolences go out to his family.
Reply to this Top
Any updates? There is a lot of details missing like why/how did he die?
North main st. ususally is 35/45mph so that guy must have been going very fast head on to kill him. Did his airbag deploy, was he wearing a seat belt?
I wish to know those details because I always buckle up and rely on my air bag thinking it would protect me in a collision esp at low speeds.
If the guy was flying 65mph + I could understand but if he was doing 35/40mph I got to wonder if his airbag/seatbelt failed him.
Reply to this Top
35 mph hitting something going 35 mph in the opposite direction is like hitting a brick wall at 70. Even that is bad...
Reply to this Top
ummmm no it's not. Hitting an oncoming car head on, with both cars traveling 35 mph, is like hitting a brick wall at 35 mph.
http://mathforum.org/library/drmath/view/60747.html
but that is besides the point RIP Mr Chang
Top
Overton should be given the death penalty... what a trash human being
Reply to this Top
"what a trash human being" WOW!! Sadly you have no idea what events occured that night but are quick to call someone you have never met "trash human being."
May GOD teach you the respect of others. A lesson that isn't taught at Tech, but at home and in the heart. May your family and friends never have to hear anyone say such heartless words about someone you know.
Reply to this Top
he killed someone because he had no common sense... if you drink and drive you're accepting the possibility that you could kill someone. that man's life was taken for no reason. lock him up for life or give him the death penalty... that's what people who drive drunk and kill someone should be given.
Top
I'm going to agree with the latter poster - "None": there are no words to describe how moronic you sound. Anyone who takes the life of someone else is a piece of trash. Anyone who takes the life of someone else while engaging in a selfish behavior such as driving drunk, is a big piece of garbage. This individual deserves no respect. Go move to Portland, Oregon you stupid f_ck.
Top
have some respect, a lot of tactless people in here.
RIP Tung Sheng Chang.
and to the people bashing the "townies", you make me feel embarrassed to be a tech student. You chose to come to this town, so embrace it and its people they are some of the nicest iv'e met. You DONT come into a new place and act like you own it and try to change things. Either embrace it OR GTFO.
Reply to this Top
Why are you embarassed to be a Virginia Tech student when fellow students are "bashing" the "townies?" The students choose to go to VIRGINIA TECH, not Blacksburg. There are very few people with high IQs under 65 years of age who would ever consider moving to Blacksburg. Some may be nice, some may be rude. Regardless, students pay to attend the University; as such, they can have their opinion of the surrounding environment they have transplanted themselves in. They will be gone in 4 years buddy boy, and many of them have no interest in residing in a place like Blacksburg.
Reply to this Top
Foolish, foolish child. How you display your ignorance! One day you may gain some insight and become a better person. Doubtful, but possible.
Top
I would like to let you non townies know that Overton Graduated from Virginia Tech. He is not a local.
He came here and stayed. Why do we have to call each other names? It is a sad situation, a man died, another man's life will never be the same. Next time you have one too many at a frat party or your parent drink a few at the Country Club and drive home. Think that it only takes one bad situation to change your life and others whom you come in contact with. Remember the old Glass house and rock thing.
Top
This comment has been buried by moderation (show comment)
Top
...Sooooo... with so few intelligent folks under 65, how on earth does VT fill its faculty positions? Do you have any clue how difficult it is to get a position as a professor at Tech? And who works at the Corporate Research Center? And why is Blacksburg ranked so high by Forbes in this Best Small Places for Business and Careers study?
http://www.forbes.com/lists/2010/5/business-places-10_Blacksburg-VA_100161.html
Riiiight - clearly VERY few people with high IQs under 65 would EVER consider moving to Blacksburg. Let us know when you get your Basket Weaving degree and are working two jobs in NOVA or Richmond trying to make your rent payment.
I guess this makes me one of those "rude" townies.
Top
"Smarty Pants", evidently you are not too bright. The original poster said that Blacksburg residents aside from the Virginia Tech FACULTY, notice this does not include staff, are seemingly unintelligent. A second poster added that Blacksburg is an undesirable place to live unless you are dumb (low IQ) or old; those on the faculty of Virginia Tech are clearly excluded from this category. You shouldn't be jealous that you cannot afford Richmond, or even more so Northern Virginia - somebody has to do the labor intensive, non-educational jobs. The beauty is that students from these regions can come take advantage of the backwards nature of Blacksburg and the low cost of living, and leave with a degree from a fairly decent institution with relatively little debt. And, I don't know about you, but us students with degrees (undergraduate, graduate or even professional) are not dumb enough to work "two jobs to afford our rent" - although it seems like that is the MO around Southwest Virginia. Blacksburg is in a world of its own, and may be a satisfactory place to live for young adults who have no education or aspiration to achieve bigger and better. Ouch.
Top
If you think Blacksburg has a low cost of living you are obviously renting (or your parents float you everything). It's quite comparable to many areas of Richmond, and in a lot of cases more expensive. Not NOVA, but certainly Richmond. But you probably wouldn't know that because you have not looked into real estate.
I am employed by the CRC, which has its fair share of non-Tech employees. I lived in NOVA for seven years before coming back to this area for a great job I was offered. There are many folks here that have backwards tendencies, but 90% of them do not live within the Town limits.
And I have news for you, Anon 2:53 - you obviously are not looking for a job now. MANY people with undergraduate and graduate degrees (in engineering, no less) are working two crap jobs to make ends meet in a lot of the larger cities - particularly Atlanta. You clearly have no concept of what the market is like, and I'm guessing you have never shouldered any degree of real responsibility.
And that "No aspiration to achieve bigger and better" comment? Being right next to a major university is an ideal place for someone trying to achieve that you moron!
Top
To "townie" who posted: "Foolish, foolish child. How you display your ignorance! One day you may gain some insight and become a better person. Doubtful, but possible."
You're right - it seems like you've really made it in life. I hope your 35k a year salary, used car and 40 year old home is everything you expected. Maybe one day your children or grandchildren, if they aren't retarded due to incest, will accomplish better. Your life in Blacksburg is a fantasy, with little responsibilities. The world would pass you by and leave you with a headache if you lived elsewhere, but it is your lack of motivation and desire to succeed that elicits comfort in residing in Blacksburg. So, as I previously said, you are right - it looks like you truly made it. To anyone with a brain and ounce of ambition, you are merely a Buick driving under the speed limit in the right lane of traffic.
Reply to this Top
The driver is from China Inn. It's a very sad situation. Let's stop debating and pray for his family. I carried out from China Inn last week and spoke to Mr. Chang at that time. I didn't know that was the last time I would ever see him. What a shock to get this news Today.
Reply to this Top
Chang was my friend's uncle...it must be devestating to see the life of a loved one completely severed due to the sheer ignorance of an inebriated driver.
Regardless, my prayers go out to both families. Forgiveness may be a long road, but ulitmately it's the only road to resolution and deliverance.
Reply to this Top
Overton was from Newport, VA which is 10 miles up 460 from tech. I still consider that "from here" and having been to Newport before, Blacksburg is a metro city compared to Newport which is just a small town situated around 460.
Just saying. In my opinion, anyone who drives drunk and kills another is considered stupid/brainless. However anyone could have done this (Northerners, Southerners, Blacks, Whites, Rednecks, City folks, ect.) They are all human.
Reply to this Top
Aside praying for Mr. Chang, I'm wondering how his death could have been prevented (aside from the dui). Like did his airbag work, did he wear a seatbelt? N.main isn't a high speed interstate so the driver must have been going very fast or Chang's seatbelt/airbag didn't work.
Reply to this Top
Well, he was turning left from Red Maple onto North Main heading back towards China Inn. That means that he would have been hit in the driver's side door by a vehicle much larger than his. Airbags would not have deployed because it wasn't a front end crash and seat belts wouldn't have protected from the pickup truck coming through the drivers side door. The only thing that could have offered any protection from this kind of wreck are side curtain airbags or something similar. Side impacts are the most dangerous as statistics show, very little protection is offered against them.
Top
Look let's all stop arguing, and agree that Blacksburg is a horrible place to live and is filled with toothless rednecks who drink, drive and kill.
Reply to this Top
can we just leave the AGR frat boys alone?
Reply to this Top
I lived in Maple Ridge and that left turn going onto North Main is dangerous. Cars go speeding by all the time so sometimes it would take forever just to be able to go south bound.
Top
Just in case you were wondering, it's not just townies that drive under the influence and cause accidents. Let's focus on the problem at hand: there is a group of people, with representatives of every race, social class, age, etc., who choose to drink and drive. Categorizing the frequency of occurrence among different demographic groups is an interesting academic exercise, but practically speaking, it does nothing but lead to finger-pointing.
http://www.collegiatetimes.com/stories/14817/man-gets-jail-for-dui-that-hurt-two
http://www.collegiatetimes.com/stories/9115/virginia-tech-student-injures-eight-while-driving-drunk
Reply to this Top
Actually what I am wondering is why Blacksburg natives are so stupid?
Reply to this Top
Meanwhile, I am wondering why you would end a sentence that is not interrogative with a question mark. That's a pretty embarrassing mistake for someone to make as they try to belittle others, isn't it? What a silly pants!
Top
Please help me get to the bottom of this. I need to know what draws the worlds least intelligent beings to Southwest Virginia, that way when I move I can select a region that doesn't. This is totally serious - I don't mind the fact that all of you drink cheap beer, use tobacco products, drive under the speed limit, and talk with an annoying "accent", but come on - why are you all so dumb? It has got to be something in the water.
Top
Trolling, trolling, trolling...keep it up.
Reply to this Top
Although the drunk driver was wrong, from my understanding, Mr Chang pulled out in front of Mr Overton, and did not have the "right-of-way." He too violated the law, so in part...the accident was also his fault. I have had so many close calls because of people not yielding the "right-of-way, that it concerns me that the news does not point that out too, but only that someone was drinking. In this case it sounds like Mr Chang was probably in a hurry to make a delivery and tried to cut off Mr. Overton. I think both were at fault, and both broke the driving laws. Unfortunately, both paid/paying a heavy price for stupidity. Please stop being so selective and give all the news, including the part the other drive played in the accident.
Reply to this Top