A fatal car accident claimed the life of a Big Stone Gap man.

The accident occured on Saturday, December 27 at 3:15 pm on State Route 683 at State Route 609

John C. Ray, 56, of East Stone Gap, VA was  driving a 1995 Toyota SR5, when it ran off the right side of the road, went down a hillside and struck a tree.

Ray was transported to Lonesome Pine Hospital in Big Stone Gap where he later died.

Ray was not wearing a seat belt and the cause of the wreck is still under investigation.