Skip to main content
Clear icon
31º

Police identify gas station owner as one of four victims in Rockbridge County explosion

The 69-year-old was being treated at VCU Medical Center

LEXINGTON, Va. – One of the four people injured in Friday morning's explosion at a Rockbridge County gas station died Saturday morning, according to the Virginia State Police.

Roger Lee Roberts, 69, of Buena Vista, died Saturday morning while being treated at VCU Medical Center. He was the owner of the gas station. 

Police said the remains of the three unidentified bodies have been taken to the medical examiner's office in Roanoke and that confirming the individuals' identities could take several days.

At the request of the Rockbridge County Sheriff’s Office, the Virginia State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigation's Salem Field Office is conducting an investigation into the cause and origin of the explosion.

At this stage of the investigation, the incident does not appear suspicious in nature.

But the incident remains an active scene and an active investigation.