MADISON COUNTY, VA (CVILLE RIGHT NOW) – Virginia State Police has released identified a Charlottesville resident who was killed in a five-car crash in Madison County on May 18, 2025.

Masashi Kawasaki, 69, of Charlottesville, died while in transport to the hospital. He was a backseat passenger in the last vehicle in line at a red light. He was wearing a seatbelt.

The crash occurred at 4:35 p.m. at the intersection of Route 29 (S Seminole Trail) and Route 230 (Wolftown-Hood Rd).

A 2017 Volkswagen Golf, a 2024 Hyundai Tucson, a 2021 Ford F150, and a 2024 Subaru Outback were traveling south on Route 29 when they all slowed or stopped at a red light. A 2023 Ford F350, which was also traveling southbound, was unable to stop and collided with the Volkswagen, which set off a chain reaction crash involving all five vehicles.

The driver of the Ford F350, Thomas J. Whittle, 38, of Floyd, Va., was not injured. He was not wearing a seatbelt.

The driver of the Volkswagen, a 69-year-old female from Charlottesville, Va., and a 74-year-old female front seat passenger both suffered serious but non-life-threatening injuries and were transported to UVA Medical Center for treatment. Both were wearing seatbelts.  With the car the last in line, it took the brunt of the crash, which led to Kawasaki, who was in the backseat, succumbing to his injuries while in transport.

The driver of the Hyundai, a 25-year-old from the UK, was not injured. A 38-year-old male passenger and a 32-year-old male passenger both suffered minor injuries and were transported to UVA Medical Center for treatment. All were wearing seatbelts.

The driver of the Ford F150, a 49-year-old male from Charlottesville, Va., suffered minor injuries and was transported to UVA Medical Center for treatment. He was wearing a seatbelt.

The driver of the Subaru, a 50-year-old female from Charlottesville, Va., and an 11-year-old female passenger were not injured in the crash. Both were wearing seatbelts.

The crash investigation and clean-up closed southbound Route 29 for approximately 5 hours. VDOT assisted with the roadway closure and detour.

Whittle was charged with reckless driving and failure to wear a seatbelt.

The crash remains under investigation.