BUCKHANNON, W.Va. — A man died Monday after a two-vehicle crash in Upshur County involving a driver under the influence of alcohol and marijuana, police reported.
The accident occurred at the intersection of U.S. Route 33 East and Kesling Mill Road. According to a release from the Upshur County Sheriff’s Office, 27-year-old Matthew Eli Whitehead, of Belington, was driving a 2019 Ford Festiva westbound on U.S. Route 33 when he ran a red light. He struck a 2009 Hyundai Sonata, driven by Michelle Wright of Buckhannon, as she was turning onto Kesling Mill Road.
The Hyundai had the right-of-way, but Whitehead’s vehicle hit the passenger side of the car. Kenneth Wright, a passenger in the Hyundai, later succumbed to his injuries at a local hospital. Michelle Wright was taken to Ruby Memorial Hospital with injuries.
Whitehead was arrested and charged with felony DUI causing death and DUI causing serious bodily injury. According to the criminal complaint, Whitehead admitted to smoking medical marijuana before the crash, and officers found a glass smoking device and a grinder with a green substance in his vehicle.
Deputy Brandon Newbrough is leading the investigation with assistance from the West Virginia State Police.
