NITRO, WV (LOOTPRESS) – An accident involving a single motor vehicle has resulted in the death of a Kanawha County woman.
The Kanawha County Sheriff’s Office reports that on Sunday, April 16, 2023, at just after 1:00pm, Sheriff’s Deputy J.W. Cochran responded to a motor vehicle incident at a residence located at the Lakeview Drive area of Nitro.
Upon arriving at the scene, deputies discovered a Hyundai Elantra which had overturned in a residential yard and a deceased female nearby. Deputies determined that the victim – identified as Elizabeth A. O’Leary, 19 years old of Nitro – had been partially inside the vehicle at the time the vehicle had begun its decent down the steep driveway.
It was further determined that the victim appeared to have been holding the steering wheel, which deputies believe could have aided in the vehicle turning and continuing off the driveway and toward the hillside.
The vehicle struck a tree where it pinned the victim, causing severe trauma ultimately resulting in death. The car then continued over the hillside and overturned a short distance away.
Upon investigation, authorities determined that the vehicle began its decent down the hill initially due to the transmission of the vehicle having been left in “Drive,” with no parking brake having been set. No other individuals were reported to have been involved in the incident and no additional injuries occurred as a result of the incident.Â
