University of Virginia Library

Head-on Collision Kills One; Injures Former Student

By BRAD BRADFORD

A former graduate student in the
School of Education was reported in
critical condition as a result of an auto
accident yesterday at 7:40 a.m. on
Interstate 64 four miles east of
Charlottesville.

Linda Z. Schmaier, 23, was taken to
the University Hospital suffering from
head and facial injuries. Mrs. Schmaier
was heading west in the passing lane when the
car she was driving collided with another car
driven by James Franklin Shifflott, a sixty-five
year old resident of Dyke, Virginia. Mr.
Shifflet, a taxi driver, was killed instantly.

Mrs. Schmaier was enrolled last year in the
University and was residing in Richmond.

According to State Trooper R.C.Byram, the
investigating officer, Shifflet, who was not
under the influence of alcohol, somehow got
into the wrong lane, Mrs. Schmaier has just
finished passing another vehicle when the cars
collided.

State Trooper Byram also reported that Mrs.
Schmaier's view may have been obscured by a
small hill which could have hidden Mr.
Shifflet's car from her until just before the two
vehicles met. Both cars were within the speed
limit it was reported.

Mrs. Schmaier was taken to University
Hospital by the Charlottesville- Albemarle
Rescue Squad. Taken to the operating room
yesterday afternoon, she was later placed in
intensive care.

State Trooper Byram was assisted by State
Trooper J.S.Pannel in the investigation of the
accident which involved only Mr. Shifflet and
Mrs. Schmaier. The car Mrs. Schmaier was
driving was registered to Mr. Charles A. Zelaites
of New Jersey.