Update: This version includes an update from the Sheriff’s Office on additional felony charges as well as clarification about which car crossed the median.
INWOOD, W.Va. — A crash that killed a Williamsport woman and shut down I-81 in both directions for three hours Sunday night resulted in one driver’s death and DUI charges for the other.
The Berkeley County Sheriff’s Department tells The Panhandle News Network the crash occurred around 10 p.m. near the 5 mile marker on I-81.
The investigation indicates a 2007 Hyundai Elantra, traveling north on Interstate 81, drove through the grass median and continued northbound in the southbound lanes.
A 2012 Subaru WRX, traveling south on Interstate 81, struck the Hyundai head on. The Subaru “continued off the left roadway edge and came to rest facing east in the northbound lane.”
The driver of the Hyundai, identified as Kara Michelle Webber, 31 of Williamsport, MD was ejected and pronounced dead at the scene.
The driver of the Subaru, identified as Angel Candelario-Jose, 40, of Stephens City, VA fled the scene on foot but was found by West Virginia State Police Trooper Bowman off of Gerrardstown Road with injuries which required immediate medical attention. He was transported to Berkeley Medical Center.
The accident and subsequent investigation closed traffic in both directions of the interstate for about three hours. The Sheriff’s Department says the investigation is ongoing.
Candelario-Jose was arrested and charged with DUI-related charges Monday, when he pleaded Not Guilty before Berkeley County Magistrate Laing to the misdemeanor charges of DUI – Impaired state, Hit and run resulting in bodily injury, and “Pedestrians on roadways when sidewalk provided”
He has since posted a $4,800 bond.
On Tuesday, Berkeley County Sheriff’s Chief Deputy Eric Burnett gave an update and confirmed that Webber, the driver of the Hyundai crossed the median. The driver in the Subaru – Candelario-Jose “was not at fault for the crash – but he was showing signs of intoxication so he was arrested for the DUI. He also fled the scene.”
