Wise Co. grand jury indicts woman accused of killing Big Stone Gap driver in head-on crash last September

A Wise County, Virginia woman has been indicted by a grand jury on manslaughter charges after she was involved in a wreck last Sept. that killed a Big Stone Gap woman.

Last month, Laya Belcher, 60, had her case transferred to Wise County Criminal Court as charges she faces includes aggravated involuntary manslaughter as well as driving while intoxicated and another alcohol related charge.

Virginia State Police say the accident occurred on Sept. 23 just after 8:00 p.m on Route 23 when Belcher’s vehicle reportedly crossed over from the north to the southbound lanes, striking the vehicle driven by Sharon Dorton, 62, head-on. Dorton was later declared dead at an area hospital.

Belcher is scheduled to be arraigned Monday morning and according to jail records, remains incarcerated at the Southwest Virginia Jail in Duffield.

Photo Courtesy: Southwest Virginia Regional Jail