Woman’s Choice to Drink and Drive Results in Death of Friend

Shannon Piper Day of SumerduckPhoto byFauquier Adult Detention Center, Virginia

FAUQUIER COUNTY, Va. – Virginia State Police (VSP) are investigating a single-vehicle crash that claimed the life of a Charlottesville woman.  

According to a media release from VSP Sergeant Brent W. Coffey, the crash happened on Saturday, March 2, on Shipps Store Road (Route 637), a half mile west of Marsh Road (Route 17). 

At 10:26 p.m., a 2018 Ford Explorer was traveling west when it failed to maneuver a curve, ran off the right side of the roadway, and collided with a tree.

The driver, Shannon Piper Day of Sumerduck, suffered minor injuries and refused treatment. She had been wearing a seatbelt.  

Day’s passenger, Claire E. Caruso, 50, of Charlottesville, died at the scene of the crash. She had been wearing a seatbelt.

Claire E. Caruso, of CharlottesvillePhoto byClaire E. Caruso, Facebook

Day, 37, was taken into custody and charged with one count of driving under the influence: involuntary manslaughter, one count of driving under the influence, one count of reckless driving: failure to maintain proper control, and one count of open container.  She was transported to the Fauquier Adult Detention Center, where she is being held without bond.     

The crash remains under investigation.