Woman Arrested on DUI Charges in Fatal Motorcycle Accident in Martinsburg

July 21, 2010 - Martinsburg, W. Va. - On July 15, David Kessel, 51, of Martinsburg was killed in a fatal motorcycle accident in Martinsburg. This week, a Berkeley County woman involved in the motorcycle crash was arrested on counts of driving under the influence with death.

The Journal reports that Jessica Faircloth, 21, of Arden, was taken into custody by deputies of the Berkley County Sheriff's Department late Tuesday evening. Faircloth's current imprisonment status at the West Virginia Regional Jail & Correctional Facility is listed as a pre-trial felon.

As of Tuesday night, no bail amount had been set. Information concerning whether Faircloth's DUI is drug or alcohol related is yet to be released.

The July 15 motorcycle crash occurred when Kessel was driving his Triumph motorcycle on W.Va. 45 in South Berkley County. Reports indicate that he was struck by Faircloth's Honda Accord and an accident witness has stated that Faircloth's vehicle crossed the center line.

The force of the crash caused Kessel's motorcycle to land over an embankment. Kessel's body was found on a guard rail near a steep drop off and he was pronounced dead at the scene.

Faircloth sustained minor injuries and was treated at an area medical center.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's 2008 West Virginia Crash Statistics show that there were 380 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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