RALEIGH COUNTY, WV (LOOTPRESS) – A head-on collision early Sunday morning on the Coalfields Expressway left one woman dead and another critically injured, with authorities citing speed and suspected impairment as contributing factors.
The Raleigh County Sheriff’s Office reported that the crash occurred around 12:45 a.m. on April 20, 2025.
Deputies arrived to find a Toyota Tacoma and Chevrolet Tahoe severely damaged following a high-impact collision.
The driver of the Tahoe, Baylee N. Bower, 24, of Bloomingrose, was pronounced dead at the scene.
The Tacoma’s driver, Destany H. Lester, 18, of Fairdale, was extricated and airlifted to CAMC General Hospital’s trauma center in critical condition.
According to investigators, Lester’s southbound Tacoma struck a guardrail, veered across both southbound lanes and the median, then entered northbound lanes—still moving south—before colliding head-on with Bower’s Tahoe.
Emergency crews from Sophia City Fire, Coal City Fire, and two ambulance services responded, with Lt. James E. Williams providing immediate aid to Lester until EMS arrived.
Lt. Jason L. Redden, a traffic crash investigator, is leading the ongoing probe.
The Sheriff’s Office stated that excessive speed and evidence of impairment by Lester are believed to have caused the crash. Criminal charges are expected pending the investigation’s conclusion.
