GHENT, W.Va. — “This is a horrible tragedy,” West Virginia State Police spokesman Lt. Michael Baylous said of an Ohio family that was struck by a pickup truck traveling the wrong way on the West Virginia Turnpike Monday morning. Four people, including two children, died in the crash. Four others were seriously injured.
Maxine Wade, 27, Carlisa Crowell, 29, along with two girls ages 9 and 6 were pronounced dead.
The family was traveling back from Disney World. They were in a Ford Explorer SUV heading to their home of Grove City, Ohio when the driver of a Dodge Ram truck hit them head on just after 1:30 a.m. near the Ghent exit in Raleigh County.
Baylous was a guest on Tuesday’s MetroNews “Talkline.” He said they believe the truck driver, Corey Sheward, 35, of Tiffin, Ohio, had been drinking, causing him to drive into oncoming traffic.
“About two miles to the point of impact we believe that he crossed over the median and started traveling south in the northbound lanes,” he said.
Sheward was injured in the crash and was rushed to the hospital. After he’s released, State Police plan on charging him with four counts of DUI causing death and four counts of DUI causing serious bodily injury.
“It’s something that was completely avoidable,” Baylous said. “It’s just infuriating to see this type of thing happen.”
“Our thoughts and prayers are with the family during this time,” he said.