FAYETTEVILLE, W.Va. — Fayette County Sheriff Steve Kessler predicted Tuesday it would be a difficult week for his deputies after dealing with traffic accidents that claimed six lives over the Labor Day weekend.
Kessler said the toughest part for his officers is notifying surviving family members about what happened.
“How do you do that? What’s a good way to tell somebody? We haven’t figured that out yet,” the sheriff admitted. “We just try to do it the best we can. Try not to shock them too bad and be as comforting as we can.”
A Saturday night wreck on Route 612 near Mossy claimed the lives of three Scarbro residents. A Monday morning crash on U.S. 19 in Oak Hill killed a Fairmont woman and a Monday afternoon accident on U.S. Route 60 near Hico claimed two more lives. Each was a single vehicle crash.
Kessler said deputies have be able to handle tragic situations.
“They deal with it. They see a lot of it,” Kessler said. “Usually they have a tough time dealing with it when children are involved.”
According to deputies, all three of the wrecks involved either speed or alcohol or both.