Nitro, WV- On Sunday, April 16, 2023, just after 1:00 p.m., Sheriff’s Deputy J.W. Cochran responded to an incident involving a pedestrian and a motor vehicle at a residence in the Lakeview Drive area of Nitro.
Deputies arrived at the scene to discover an overturned Hyundai Elantra in a residential yard and a deceased female nearby. It was determined by deputies that the female victim, Elizabeth A. O’Leary, 19-years-old of Nitro had been partially inside the vehicle when the vehicle began rolling down the steep driveway. The female appeared to be holding the steering wheel which may have aided in the vehicle turning and continuing off the driveway towards the hillside. The vehicle struck a tree, pinning the victim, and causing fatal trauma to the victim. The car continued over the hillside and overturned a short distance away.
Investigators determined the initial cause of the vehicle starting its descent down the driveway was due to the vehicle transmission being left in “Drive,” with no parking brake set. No other individuals were involved or injured because of this incident.
Should you have any information regarding this case, please contact Deputy J.W. Cochran at Kanawha County Sheriff’s Office, 304-357-0169 or submit a “tip” at www.kanawhasheriff.us under the “Tips” tab.
Post expires at 8:44am on Tuesday October 17th, 2023