Buckhannon, WV (April 9, 2025) – An intoxicated driver caused a fatal crash in the Buckhannon area on Monday, April 7. The incident took place near the Highway 33 and Kesling Mill Road interchange. It was later reported that Matthew Whitehead was driving while high on medical marijuana when he collided with another vehicle at the intersection.
When emergency units arrived, they found Whitehead with bloodshot eyes and a flushed face. The driver of the sedan involved in the crash was transported by ambulance to Ruby Memorial Hospital in Morgantown in serious condition. A passenger in the car, Kenneth Wright, was taken to St. Joseph’s Hospital, where he was later pronounced dead. A glass smoking device and a grinder with marijuana leaves were found in Whitehead’s vehicle. Whitehead is currently facing a charge of DUI Causing Death. No further information on the crash is currently available. An ongoing investigation into the cause of the incident is in progress.
We would like to offer our deepest condolences to the family of the deceased victim at this time. Our thoughts are with the injured victim and their family in hopes of a full recovery.
Deadly DUI Accidents in West Virginia
Everyone on the road is put in danger by drunk driving. According to government figures, West Virginia has a high rate of alcohol-related arrests nationwide. In America, drunk driving accidents claim the lives of about 10,000 individuals annually. A drunk driver causes a fatality every 52 minutes on average. This figure means that 28 people lose their lives in car accidents every day as a result of DUI collisions. If someone close to you is killed by a reckless driver under the influence, you may have grounds to pursue a claim for compensation with the help of a skilled legal team.
A deadly car accident is never easy to manage on your own. In an instant, someone close to you can be lost forever due to the actions of a reckless driver. Just one death is too many, and the trained team of Buckhannon wrongful death lawyers at Tiano O’Dell, PLLC, is here to fight for you and your family in your pursuit of justice. If you are ready to get started on your case, we are just a phone call away. Contact our offices today at (304) 720-6700 to get started on your case with a member of our esteemed legal team.
Note: This post was written for informational purposes only. This post is based on information from secondary sources, and our team has not independently verified the accident details. If you identify any inaccuracies, please contact Tiano O’Dell, PLLC, so we can update the post with accurate information. We will also remove the post upon request.
Disclaimer: This post is not intended to solicit business. The information provided should not be interpreted as medical or legal advice. The photo included in this post does not depict the actual accident scene.
