INWOOD, W.Va. — A crash that killed a Maryland woman and shut down I-81 in Berkeley County remains under investigation.
The Berkeley County Sheriff’s Department tells The Panhandle News Network the crash occurred around 10 p.m. Sunday near the 5 mile marker on I-81.
The investigation indicates a 2007 Hyundai Elantra, traveling north on Interstate 81, drove through the grass median and continued northbound in the southbound lanes.
A 2012 Subaru WRX, traveling south on Interstate 81, struck the Hyundai head on. The Subaru “continued off the left roadway edge and came to rest facing east in the northbound lane.”
The driver of the Hyundai, identified as Kara Michelle Webber, 31 of Williamsport, MD was ejected and pronounced dead at the scene.
The driver of the Subaru, identified as Angel Candelario-Jose, 40, of Stephens City, VA fled the scene on foot but was found by a state police trooper off of Gerrardstown Road with injuries which required immediate medical attention. He was transported to Berkeley Medical Center. He was later charged with DUI.
The wreck and subsequent investigation closed traffic in both directions of the interstate for about three hours. The sheriff’s department says the investigation is ongoing. Candelario-Jose is free on bond.
On Tuesday, Berkeley County Sheriff’s Chief Deputy Eric Burnett gave an update and confirmed that Webber, the driver of the Hyundai crossed the median. The driver in the Subaru – Candelario-Jose “was not at fault for the crash – but he was showing signs of intoxication so he was arrested for the DUI. He also fled the scene.”
He had been released on bond on the misdemeanor charges from Monday including DUI, Hit and Run resulting in Bodily Injury, Pedestrian on the Interstate. But two warrants have been issued as of Tuesday morning for felony charges of Hit and Run resulting in Death and DUI Causing Death.