Pittsburgh man identified in deadly I-79 crash near Morgantown

STAR CITY, W.Va. — A Pittsburgh man was killed in a head-on collision along Interstate 79 on Sunday afternoon, Monongalia County sheriff’s deputies said.

Jeffery Goldhammer, 56, died in the crash that involved three cars just north of the Star City exit.

Authorities report Jenna Boyd, of Salisbury, N.C., was driving south on the interstate when her car suddenly crossed the median and into the northbound lanes, impacting Goldhammer’s car head-on.

Monongalia County Chief Deputy Perry Palmer said it was still unclear why Boyd’s car crossed the highway.

“We had our reconstructionists out there all weekend and are investigating that,” Palmer said Monday on Morgantown A.M. on WAJR Radio.

A third vehicle was involved in the crash, but the driver and passenger were not hurt and were able to drive the car away.

The crash shutdown the interstate for several hours.

The stretch of highway where the crash happened does not feature any barrier separating the north- and south-bound lanes. Palmer speculated that even cable fencing could have helped avoid a tragedy.

“The accidents I’ve seen, the wires do help and keeps the vehicles from crossing into the path of oncoming traffic,” he said. “I think it’s been an advantage to have them.”





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