The Wheeling Police Department has not offered new information since Friday concerning the tragic accident that occurred last week claiming the life of a 54-year-old resident of Bridgeport, Ohio.
Early Thursday morning, the victim was struck by a pickup truck in front of the Warwood Commons on the way to work. The driver of the truck called 911, and Wheeling Police officers responded to the scene, but, after a search of the area, the victim could not be located. Somehow, a motorist navigating around the accident in Warwood scene snagged the victim, and that vehicle carried the body to Washington Avenue until other motorists signaled for the driver to stop.
That is when members of the police department and the Wheeling Fire Department responded to the on-ramp off Interstate 70. The ramp was closed for more than an hour.
“After first responders talked with her, it was obvious she didn’t know what had happened,” said Ohio County EMA Director Lou Vargo. “But it happened, somehow, and that’s what everyone is trying to figure out.
“The EMA set up our Command Center because, at first, we were dealing with two different incidents that could be connected, but we didn’t know why they could have been connected. The possibilities, really, were unlimited,” he added. “The facts of these incidents were not expected by anyone, and that’s why it’s very important to take the time to get everything correct.”
If the names of the two drivers involved are released by the Wheeling Police Department, LEDE News will not publish them because we feel there is no need to report them. That decision was made because the information does not erase the tragedy that took place at the two incident scenes and because of a belief the two motorists have endured enough grief.
Instead, when the department’s accident reenactors determine more specifics concerning the cause of death, the path traveled to the Interstate 70 on-ramp, and what other motorists witnessed, updates will appear.
“I can tell you that nothing was intentional and that is why it is called an accident,” Vargo added. “In this case, a tragic accident, and I can’t image how they must feel.”
