A serious crash in Jefferson County left two people dead in the early morning of Oct. 23, according to state police. West Virginia authorities responded to the fatal crash around 2:35 a.m. on W. Va. 51. The driver believed responsible for the crash was among those killed, so no criminal charges will be forthcoming. However, a wrongful death lawsuit may yet be on the horizon against the driver’s estate.
The police are still investigating the cause of the crash. It appears a vehicle operated by a 28-year-old man crossed into oncoming traffic and struck three vehicles in sequence. He was ejected from his vehicle and pronounced dead at the scene of the accident by arriving medical authorities.
One of the other drivers involved in the crash, a 68-year-old woman, became trapped in her vehicle as a result of the collision. Despite the efforts of first responders, she died of her injuries sometime after the crash. Police have not spoken publicly about what they believe may have caused the accident, but they have not ruled out negligence, recklessness or even intoxication at this time.
West Virginia police will continue to investigate the crash until they determine exactly what caused the accident. The family of the deceased woman and any other injured parties involved in the accident can file wrongful death and/or personal injury lawsuits in civil court. These claims would be directed against the man’s estate, and anyone else who had ownership interest in the vehicle he was operating at the time of the crash.
Source: journal-news.net, “Charles Town man, Virginia woman killed in multi-car accident Sunday morning on W.Va. 51“, Matt Dellinger, Oct. 24, 2016
