UPSHUR COUNTY, WV (LOOTPRESS) – A two-vehicle crash on Monday, April 7, resulted in one death and one injury after a driver ran a red light at the intersection of US Route 33 and Kesling Mill Road.
According to the Upshur County Sheriff’s Office, Matthew Eli Whitehead, 27, of Belington, was driving a 2019 Ford Festiva westbound on US 33 when he ran a red light and struck a 2009 Hyundai Sonata.
The Sonata, driven by Michelle Wright of Buckhannon, was turning left from a stoplight onto Kesling Mill Road and had the right of way when the Ford collided with the vehicle’s passenger side.
The driver of the Hyundai was transported to Ruby Memorial Hospital with injuries.
The passenger, Kenneth Wright, later died at a local hospital as a result of the crash.
Whitehead has been charged with one count of DUI causing death and one count of DUI causing serious bodily injury, both felony offenses.
He is currently at Tygart Valley Regional Jail on a $150,000 cash-only bond.
Deputy Brandon Newbrough of the Upshur County Sheriff’s Office is leading the investigation, with assistance from the West Virginia State Police.
