WILLIAMSON, W.Va. — Separate accidents involving off-road vehicles claimed two lives in Mingo County.
The first accident happened Friday in the community of Taylorville, midway between Varney and Delbarton on U.S. Route 52. A husband and wife from Ohio were returning to the farm house where they were staying after a day of riding the Hatfield-McCoy Trails. The victim was Lisa Morris of Sagamore Hills, Ohio. Her husband Dave Morris posted information about the accident on his Facebook page Sunday evening.
“Well… Here goes nothing. I believe everyone knows so this should no longer come as a shock to anyone. Friday, October 24th, 2025 I lost my best friend, my life partner, my wife to a tragic accident in her “Happy Place”” We were returning from a magical day of riding the Hatfield McCoy trails near Delbarton, WV. when a misjudged turn a 1/4 mile from the farmhouse we were staying ended Lisa’s life instantly. I was somehow thrown from the vehicle, even though I was seatbelted in. Per the county sheriff deputy that responded, the passenger seatbelt was torn in half throwing me from the vehicle probably saving my life. I’m doing what every husband would do wishing I could have taken her place. I don’t know what the future holds, but I know God holds my future and is currently holding Lisa. It will definitely be a day by day struggle. That being said, I’m so incredibly thankful for the gracious outpouring of love to me and our family/friends struggle to wrap our heads around this horribly painful tragedy. Not wanting to miss ANYONE, I want to thank EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU! You all know who you are. Until we meet again my sweet sweet best friend, Lisa Birel Morris I will miss you and continue to “love you until the last rose dies”(the last one is fake, if you don’t know the song)”
The Mingo County Sheriff’s Department continues the investigation into the accident.
The second fatality occurred Sunday evening on the Devil Anse System of the Hatfield McCoy Trails. The victim is a 13-year old boy. According to Natural Resources Police he was operating a side-by-side on the Overlook Trail near Williamson and lost control of the machine plunging over an embankment.
Investigators say the family was from the Raleigh, North Carolina area and was in West Virginia to ride the trail.
So far no citations have been issued over the fatal accident, but authorities continue their investigation.