Jeffrey W. Wellons was driving a 1986 Ford Thunderbird north in the southbound lanes of North Electric Road near Sheraton Drive when the vehicle struck a Mercedes sedan head-on, police said. Wellons, one of seven people hospitalized after the 1:40 a.m. accident, died at Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital. He was legally drunk, according to Roanoke County police Lt. David McMillan. Police also said Wellons was not wearing a seat belt.

His two passengers also were hospitalized, as were the driver of the Mercedes and three passengers.

Except for Wellons, police would not identify any of the injured or discuss their conditions.

-Reed Williams