914 W. Main St.    Grafton, WV 26354    Phone: 304-265-3333 -- Fax: 304-265-3342

News Top Stories Sports Obituaries Community News Editorial About Us Guest Book Search Archives RSS Feed Information Contact Us Staff Directory Engagement Form Wedding Form Birth Form Subscription Information Local Links Anna Jarvis Elementary School Grafton High School Taylor County Middle School Taylor County Technical Center Taylor County Board of Education Grafton's 150th Anniversary Web site Tygart Lake State Park and Lodge The Taylor County Public Library Grafton City Hospital West Taylor Elementary School The International Mother's Day Shrine and Museum Flemington Elementary School The Taylor County Development Authority

Fatal Friday night accident claims two lives BY LAURA HAATVEDT Two people were killed in a fatal two-vehicle accident in Taylor County on U.S. Route 119 South of Grafton Friday evening. The call came in to the Taylor County Sheriff`s Department to respond to the accident at 6:42 p.m. on December 8, 2006. The accident occurred near the turnoff of Nuzum Road. A 32-year-old Monongalia County resident and a 60-year-old Barbour County resident were pronounced dead on the scene and two more individuals were life-flighted to Ruby Memorial Hospital in critical condition. Further information regarding their current conditions was not available at press time. According to the Taylor County Sheriff`s Department`s accident report, officers believe the 2002 Chevrolet Camaro driven by the 32-year-old-resident of Monongalia County was traveling south toward Barbour County when the driver apparently lost control of the vehicle while exiting a lefthand turn in the roadway. Officers believe the Camaro then went sideways and crossed the centerline, at which point it was struck by a 1993 Ford Taurus driven by a 60-year-old resident of Barbour County. There were two additional occupants in the Ford Taurus and no additional occupants in the Camaro. While air temperatures were very cold, the roadway was clear of snow and ice, according to the Sheriff`s Department`s accident report. At this point no charges have been filed, however the accident is still under investigation. An accident reconstruction crew will reconstruct the night`s events at a later date. The lead investigating officer is Taylor County Sheriff`s Deputy Pete Shipp. Also responding to the accident were the Taylor County Emergency Squad, Flemington EMS and Barbour County EMS, Grafton and Flemington Fire Departments, the West Virginia State Police, and Taylor County Prosecuting Attorney John Bord. "Everyone who responded did an excellent job," Shipp said. "They were all very professional and I was grateful for their help." Taylor County Sheriff Robert H. Beltner reminded motorists to slow down as the sun is now going down much earlier and the winter weather is setting in. "Responding to these accidents is always difficult, particularly when there is a fatality," Beltner said. "It`s definitely something we don`t want to see, especially around the Holiday season. Drivers need to remain alert and aware of their surroundings and the road conditions." Send us your comments about this article.