Wheeling, WV Police Lieutenant Killed By Drunk Driver

Police are tasked with trying to prevent DUI accidents from happening, but sometimes, the lives of law enforcement personnel are affected by DUIs as well.

Drunk Driver Kills Wheeling Police Lieutenant

The West Virginia police force in Wheeling had to deal with the loss of one of their own in the summer of 2010. Lieutenant William Goldbaugh was returning home from a Florida vacation with his family when his vehicle was struck by a drunk driver during the early morning hours of July 18. Goldbaugh was killed and 3 other people were injured in the 3-vehicle crash.

Kevin Cash has since been charged with DUI manslaughter. Police say Cash was driving the wrong way on Interstate 95 when the fatal car accident occurred. Cash, who is reportedly a habitual traffic offender, was booked into jail after the accident.

Victim Was Close to Retirement

Robert Matheny, the chief of the Wheeling Police Department, said that Goldbaugh was planning on retiring from the police force in the near future. He was reportedly going to help train other law enforcement officers at Glenville State College. Goldbaugh was set to begin his new job as the director of the college's new Center for Justice Studies just 8 days after he died.

The lifelong Wheeling resident is being remembered as a passionate police officer, a family man, and a good neighbor.

For more information on DUI accidents and their consequences, read our article on West Virginia DUI laws. 

Unfortunately, car accidents are a regular occurrence on West Virginia roadways such as I-79, I-77, Route 50, Route 33, and I-68. In fact, our state averages over 40,000 car crashes, over 400 deaths, and over 11,000 serious injuries each year. If you or a loved one has been seriously injured in a West Virginia car accident, order a FREE copy of our consumer guide, The 7 Biggest Mistakes that Can Wreck Your West Virginia Car Accident Claim then contact the Clarksburg personal injury attorneys at The Miley Legal Group for a FREE consultation - (304) 326-1800.