Late Morning I-79 Tractor Trailer Wreck Results in HealthNet Transport to Ruby
By Jeff Toquinto on September 24, 2014
A late morning accident along Interstate 79 saw a tractor trailer plummet through a guardrail and go hundreds of yards before coming to a stop just prior to going into Simpson Creek. The accident resulted in the driver of the truck with Indiana plates being flown by Healthnet to Ruby Memorial.
“The condition of the driver appears to be serious,” said Bridgeport Fire Captain Phil Hart.
The call went out for an accident near the I-79 120 mile marker on the northbound side of the Interstate; prior to the bridge leading over Simpson Creek. According to the Harrison County 911 log, the call came in at 11:05 a.m.
Just after noon, the male driver of the truck was taken away by Healthnet. A Harrison County EMS ambulance transported the driver from the cab of his truck near Simpson Creek to an area just in front of a large, vacant field behind the Bridgeport Wastewater Treatment Plant.
As for what led to the wreck, it’s under investigation. Hart said he couldn’t comment on whether he thought it had anything to do with a medical condition.
One thing the accident had were plenty of witnesses, including Matt Jenkins. Jenkins, who runs the Jenkins Subaru and Hyundai dealerships, said he and other staff members were outside parking cars when the accident occurred.
“I didn’t see the truck go through the guardrails, but all of the sudden I could see everyone looking up at the interstate,” said Jenkins. “When I looked up the truck was coming down the hillside; kind of at an odd angle. It didn’t look like it was going to stop.”
Fortunately it did come to a stop, hitting an older truck situated in a lot beside the roadway that leads to the wastewater plant. The back of the truck was still in the lot, but the cab was teetering over the edge of the bank and pointing toward the creek.
Pieces of the truck’s underside were scattered down the hillside from the interstate all the way to the truck’s final resting point. The wreck also caused fuel to be spilled.
“There’s some diesel fuel and motor oil that managed to find its way into the water,” said Hart.
Bridgeport fire officials were using traps to capture as much of the fuel and oil as possible. The fire department laid down traps on top of the water to capture the fuel, which Hart said floats on the top part of the water. Although not overpowering, the smell of fuel did permeate the 
air in and around the accident scene.
air in and around the accident scene.
Because of the truck being involved and because of the fuel, several state agencies were involved. The West Virginia Public Service Commission and the West Virginia Division of Environmental Protection had officials on the scene.
Multiple emergency service agencies responded to the accident. Along with the Bridgeport Fire Department and the Harrison County Emergency squad, West Virginia State Police, the Clarksburg Fire and Police Departments and the Nuter Fort Fire Department were on hand. Bridgeport Police were also there, including Chief John Walker and Deputy Chief Randy Hartley, who were conferring with Fire Chief Robert Seccuro on the situation. Clarksburg Fire Department Chief Rick Scott was also on the scene. The matter remains under investigation by Clarksburg Police.
Police officials also appeared to have some video of the matter. A witness had a cell phone video that police were looking at. The witness said he took the video when he noticed the truck “driving erratically.”
The truck itself, outside of the fuel and oil leaking, didn’t appear to be in any danger of going into the creek. Fire officials cracked open the back of the truck to review its contents.
“We do that to make sure there are no hazardous materials being transported,” said Hart. “In this case, there didn’t appear to be anything of concern in the truck that was in transport.”
A dog was also in the truck and didn't appear seriously hurt. It was taken from the scene to make sure it was okay.
Outside of the parked vehicle hit, there didn’t appear to be any other vehicles involved in the case. If more information develops, it will be included on Connect-Bridgeport.
Photo gallery coming soon.
Editor's Note: In the top photo, emergency personnel work to get ready to remove the driver from the vehicle, while in the second photo HealthNet personnel load the victim onto the helicopter for the flight to Ruby Memorial. In the bottom picture, Bridgeport Fire personnel get ready to break open the back door of the tractor trailer to make sure the cargo inside was not hazardous.
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