MARION COUNTY, W.Va. — An accident on I-79 Monday evening sent six people to local hospitals, including a Marion County Sheriff’s Deputy.
Police responded to a tractor trailer fire around 8:15 pm Monday to assist with traffic control around mile marker 139.
Around 8:45 pm, a deputy was placing flares down at the crest of a hill when two vehicles approached. The first vehicle, a 2014 Jeep Cherokee, approached in the right lane before following the Deputy’s instructions by slowing down and moving into the left lane.
Police say a second vehicle, a 2005 Mitsubishi Lancer, followed the Jeep Cherokee, but didn’t slow down.
The driver of the second vehicle then apparently rear-ended the first vehicle in the left lane, glanced off of it, and spun off. The Lancer hit the Sheriff’s Deputy during the spin, which knocked the Deputy 40 feet off the road way and into a ditch line.
Marion County EMS transported the Deputy, who’s name and injuries are not being released at this time, to Ruby Memorial Hospital. He was listed in “stable” condition at the time of the transport.
All four people in the Cherokee and the lone person in the Lancer were also transported to local hospitals.
A Summers County native was operating the Jeep Cherokee. Malcolm Sutherland, 62, of Hinton, WV, and his three passengers–a 31-year-old adult, a 15-year-old, and a 2-year-old–were all treated for undisclosed injuries.
A 17-year-old Rivesville native was operating the Mitsubishi Lancer.
The name of that driver was not disclosed by police.
Police say speed, failure to use due care, and failure to maintain control were all contributing factors in the accident.
Charges are pending.