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Child dies in I-81 crash, charges likely forthcoming

MARTINSBURG, W.Va. — A young child is dead after a weekend crash on I-81 in Berkeley County, and authorities say someone will likely be charged.

The accident was reported at around 4 a.m. Sunday at the six-mile marker in southbound lanes. A tractor trailer and a pickup truck were involved in the wreck.

According to the Berkeley County Sheriff’s Department, a five-year-old child was ejected from the pickup truck and was found unresponsive at the scene.

A clarification issued by the sheriff’s offices says, “Emergency personnel immediately initiated lifesaving measures, and the child was transported to Winchester Medical Center, where the child was later pronounced deceased.” 

The driver of the pickup truck was taken to the hospital for injuries, and the driver of the semi was evaluated on the scene.

A release from the department states, “multiple potential criminal violations are being considered as part of the investigation, although the sheriff’s department did not identify any of the individuals involved in the crash nor who among the drivers might be charged.”

The accident is still under investigation, and an “extensive follow-up” is being conducted.

Anyone with information related to the accident is encouraged to contact Sergeant Ritchie at 304-267-7000.





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