The Register-Herald, Beckley, West Virginia

Police/Courts

October 8, 2012

One dead, several injured Saturday in five-car wreck

Condition of road may have contributed

By Wendy Holdren Register-Herald Reporter

LAVISTA — One individual is dead and several are injured after an accident involving a total of five cars Saturday on U.S. 60 in the Lavista area of Fayette County, according to Fayette County Sheriff’s Department.

According to police, the preliminary investigation indicates that just before 2 p.m., a Chevrolet Tahoe traveling west pulled out into the east-bound lane in an attempt to pass another vehicle that was also traveling west. The Tahoe then struck an east-bound Chevy Impala head-on.

As these two vehicles collided, the Impala was struck in the rear by a Ford Fusion that was traveling behind it. The Chevy Tahoe was struck in the rear by a Jeep from behind. As the Tahoe and Jeep slid, they struck a fifth vehicle, which was parked beside the road.

The driver and the front seat passenger of the Chevy Impala were both extricated from the vehicle by fire department personnel and transported to Charles-ton Area Medical Center by HealthNet air ambulance service. The driver is in critical condition and the passenger is in stable condition, police said.

The driver of the Tahoe was also flown to CAMC, where he is listed in critical condition. A passenger in the rear seat of the Impala, a 91-year-old female, was pronounced dead at the scene.

A passenger in the Ford Fusion was transported to Plateau Medical Center in Oak Hill for treatment of minor injuries. The passenger was treated and released.

None of the others involved were injured in the collision.

Road conditions have been determined to be a contributing factor in the wreck. Deputies at the scene stated that it had been raining and the road was wet at the time of the collision. Heavy fog also contributed to decreased visibility.

Fayette County Sheriff Steve Kessler said this was a very tragic accident.

“It is critically important for motorists to slow down and use caution when the roadway is wet and visibility is decreased due to rain, fog or other weather conditions.”

The names of the drivers and passengers are not being released at this time pending notification of the family members of the accident victims.

No charges have been filed in connection with the accident at this time. The accident remains under investigation by Deputy C.M. Fitzwater of the Fayette County Sheriff’s Office. He was assisted at the scene by Sgt. S.L. Campbell, Detective Cpl. J.M. Pack and Deputy P.J. Pack.

The Fayette County 911 Center dispatched Ansted and Nuttall fire departments, Jan-Care and General ambulances, and sheriff’s deputies to the scene.

— E-mail: wholdren@register-herald.com

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