MORGANTOWN — A motorist making an illegal U-turn in an emergency crossover on I-79 caused an accident Thursday morning, according to Monongalia County Sheriff’s Deputies.
Officers responded to the two-vehicle crash, which happened at around 10:54 a.m. A Chevrolet Cobalt was traveling south when it made an illegal U-turn across an emergency crossover near mile marker 154. The Cobalt then pulled in front of a Chevy Silverado traveling north, causing the accident.
One person was transported to the hospital with a head injury and lacerations, Kisner said. He said charges are likely pending against the driver of the Cobalt.
On Dec. 11, a four-vehicle accident happened for the same reason — an illegal U-turn through an emergency crossover. That accident sent three people to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
Kisner said it’s important that vehicles don’t use the crossovers because they aren’t equipped with adequate lighting to alert other drivers.
Emergency vehicles on the other hand, have lighting on top and around the vehicle – allowing drivers to see them from a distance and know it’s an emergency, he said.
“Passenger cars don’t have that same luxury,” Kisner said.
Other contributing factors include drivers not waiting until it’s clear to enter the other side of the highway. Kisner said oftentimes drivers think a car in an emergency crossing will wait until they pass before entering the lane.
“Some don’t; they just pull out in front.”
