Star City, W.Va. — Monongalia County Sheriff’s officials say a Pittsburgh man was killed in Sunday’s head-on collision along Interstate 79 near Star City. Jeffery Goldhammer, 56, of Pittsburgh, Pa. was killed in the collision that involved three cars Sunday afternoon just north of the Star City exit.
Authorities report Jenna Boyd, of Salisbury, N.C., was driving south on the highway when her car suddenly crossed the median and into the northbound lanes. Her car crashed head-on into Goldhammer, who was driving north. Chief Deputy Perry Palmer says it is still unclear why her car crossed the highway.
“We had our reconstructionists out there all weekend and are investigating that,” Palmer said Monday morning on Morgantown A.M.
A third vehicle was involved in the crash, but the driver and passenger were not hurt and were able to drive the car away.
The crash shutdown the interstate for several hours Sunday afternoon.
The stretch of highway where the accident happened does not have any barrier separating the north and south bound lanes. Palmer speculates that even cable fencing could have helped avoid a tragedy.
“The accidents I’ve seen, the wires do help and keeps the vehicles from crossing into the path of oncoming traffic. I think it’s been advantage to have them.”
The investigation into the crash continues.