AMANDAVILLE, WV (LOOTPRESS) – A biyclist in the Kanawha County area lost his life just before midnight Thursday following his involvement in a collision with a moving vehicle.
According to the Kanawha County Sheriff’s Office, on Thursday, April 13, 2023, just before 12:00am, Sheriff’s Deputy Z.T. Bowles responded to the scene of a crash which involved a moving bicyclist and a motor vehicle at the intersection of MacCorkle Avenue SW (US Route 60) and Oliver Street in the Amandaville area.
Upon the arrival of Deputy Boweles, the male victim – identified as Robert Chester Eugene Hensley, 47 years old of Amandaville – was determined dead at the scene. It was determined that the victim had made an attempt to cross the highway at the intersection of Oliver Street and was struck by a vehicle which was traveling westbound.
Deputies with the Sheriff’s Department’s Crash Reconstruction Unit responded to the scene, and portions of the roadway in the area were closed for approximately three hours. Since that time, the road has been reopened and authorities report that no further delays should be anticipated in relation to the incident.
Roadside field tests were administered to the driver of the vehicle involved and it was determined that the driver was not under the influence at the time of the accident. Other factors which may have contributed to the collision such as speed remain under investigation by the Crash Reconstruction Unit.
The incident marks the latest in a series of serious vehicle collisions in the Kanawha County which have occurred just this week, two of which have involved road crossings – both resulting in death. As such, the Kanawha County Sheriff’s Office has advised drivers to stay vigilant regarding potential pedestrians in or near the roadway, particularly given that weather has begun to become warmer.
“The Kanawha County Sheriff’s Office would like to remind motorists that with the warmer weather they should expect to see more pedestrian, bicycle, and motorcycle traffic on our roadways,” read a statement from the KCSO.
”Last night’s crash was the third serious crash and second fatality crash this week involving pedestrians. Please STAY ALERT while driving and don’t drive distracted or impaired. For our pedestrian traffic, cyclists, and motorcycle riders, we also want to encourage you to wear visible reflective clothes, cross streets in well lit areas or where crosswalks are available, and to also STAY ALERT to oncoming traffic.”
Those with any information regarding this case are encouraged to contact Deputy Z.T. Bowles or Corporal S.M. Adams at Kanawha County Sheriff’s Office, 304-357-0169 or submit a “tip” at www. kanawhasheriff.us under the “Tips” tab.
