On November 18, 2015 at 8:45 p.m. a crash was reported at mile marker 111 on I-77 in the Sissonville area of Kanawha County. A tractor-trailer hauling fruit traveling north exited the roadway to the left, crossed the grassy median, then entered the south-bound lanes striking a 2014 Toyota Corolla.
The car was struck on the driver’s side and resulted in heavy damage. The driver of the car, Cody Lynch (20 years old of Charleston) was pronounced dead at the scene. The passenger of the car was taken to Charleston Area Medical Center’s General Division in serious condition.
The driver of the tractor-trailer said his windshield began to fog and he was trying to adjust the defrost controls when he left the roadway. He was taken to Charleston Area Medical Center’s General Division for treatment to his head injury.
The south bound lanes of I-77 were closed from the time of the crash until 3:15 a.m. when one lane reopened. Both lanes were cleared at 4:00 a.m. today. The Kanawha County Sheriff’s Office has assigned a crash reconstruction investigator to complete the investigation. Decisions about citations and charges will be made after the investigation concludes.
