BUCKHANNON, W.Va – A crash in Buckhannon on April 7 allegedly caused by a man driving high on medical marijuana results in one death, a seriously injury and another person in police custody.
The Upshur County Sheriff’s Department arrested 27-year-old Matthew Whitehead after deputies arrived on the scene where he crashed into a sedan at the intersection of Highway 33 and Kesling Mill Road.
According to officers on scene, Whitehead was found to have had bloodshot eyes and a flushed face. He also allegedly admitted to responders on scene that had been smoking smoking medical marijuana and had “felt like driving reckless.” Officers found a glass smoking device and a grinder with marijuana leaves in Whitehead’s car after the crash.
The driver of the sedan was transported to Ruby Memorial Hospital in Morgantown with serious injuries. The passenger, Kenneth Wright, was transported to St. Joseph’s Hospital where he was pronounced dead.
Whitehead is charged with one count of DUI Causing Death, and one count of DUI Causing Serious Bodily Injury.
He is being held at Tygart Valley Regional Jail on a $150,000 cash-only bond.