Driver on Cell Phone Causes Rollover Accident on SR 34 in Putnam

March 22, 2011 - Putnam County, W.Va. - One person was injured in a rollover accident that resulted in a Jeep overturning near Teays Valley Monday afternoon.

WBOY reports that the accident occurred at about 1 p.m. Monday on State Route 34 in Putnam County. According to the driver of a Nissan Pathfinder, she was attempting to make a cell phone call at the time of the accident. The Pathfinder drifted into the left lane of traffic, where it struck a Jeep.

Deputies of the Putnam County Sheriff's Department said the Jeep then rebounded against a guardrail and overturned several times before coming to a stop.

A passenger in the Jeep was injured in the crash. The injured person was transported to an area hospital for treatment. The extent of the person's injuries is unknown at this time.

The identities of those involved in the accident have not yet been released.

The driver of the Pathfinder received a citation for failure to maintain control.

Route 34 was blocked to traffic for a short time following the accident, but all lanes were reopened by 1:30 p.m. Monday.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's 2009 West Virginia Crash Statistics show that there were 356 fatalities as a result of car accidents in West Virginia.

In an effort to raise awareness of common factors in serious and fatal car accidents in West Virginia, our firm routinely publishes news items about traffic crashes in our region.

Common West Virginia accidents include, but are not limited to:

• single-car crashes;
• tractor-trailer accidents;
• accidents caused by hazardous road conditions; and
• distracted driver crashes.

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