REGIONAL BRIEFING

Monday, November 24, 2008

VIRGINIA TECH

Kaine Says He'll Consider Correcting Slayings Report

Gov. Timothy Kaine met for a second day with victims and family members of those injured or killed in the Virginia Tech mass shootings, and he told them that he will consider making corrections to a report issued by a panel investigating the tragedy.

Kaine (D) met with some victims and relatives in Chantilly on Saturday and with others at the Capitol yesterday as part of a settlement to avoid lawsuits over the shootings by student Seung-Hui Cho, who took his own life after killing 32 students and faculty members.

Kaine said the two days of meetings made him realize how important it is to the relatives for the panel's report to be factually correct.

Kaine said he would get back to the families soon to let them know what actions he would take.

Family members of the 32 Virginia Tech shooting victims met last month with university President Charles W. Steger on the Blacksburg campus to directly question him and other university officials about their handling of the April 16, 2007, massacre.

-- Associated Press

FAIRFAX COUNTY

Boy Riding ATV in Clifton Dies After Hitting Chain

A 14-year-old Clifton boy was killed yesterday when his all-terrain vehicle ran into a chain that was strung across a neighborhood path, Fairfax County police said.

Police identified the boy as Samuel Seipel. Authorities said he was riding a four-wheel ATV in the 7400 block of Dunquin Court shortly after 3:30 p.m. when the incident occurred.

Authorities said he was on a gravel path known for off-road riding.

It was not immediately clear why the chain was strung across the path.

The incident is the 26th vehicular fatality in Fairfax this year, authorities said.

-- Elissa Silverman

Loudoun Driver Is Killed After Striking Telephone Pole

A Loudoun County man died early yesterday when his car hit a telephone pole on Braddock Road in the Centreville area, police said.

Frank Jensen, 31, was alone in his 2001 Mitsubishi when the accident occurred. Fairfax County police said Jensen might have been speeding while traveling east on Braddock when his car struck the pole at 1:50 a.m. He was ejected and found dead at the scene, police said.