One dead in state Route 2 accident
By KATIE SCHWENDEMAN (kschwendeman@reviewonline.com)Fact Box
Weather conditions cause of second state Route 2 accident
By KATIE SCHWENDEMAN
kschwendeman@reviewonline.com
NEWELL - A little less than a day after a fatal accident on Ohio River Boulevard (WV state Route 2), two vehicles were involved in an accident on the same road early Thursday morning.
According to information provided by both Hancock County Sheriff Michael White and Sergeant J. Keeder, a vehicle driven by Nancy L. Barlow, 55, of East Liverpool, was heading southbound on state Route 2 when she lost control of the vehicle due to slippery road conditions and went left of center.
Barlow's vehicle then struck a vehicle driven by Mary L. Firczak, 67, of Clairton, Pa. Firczak's husband Robert, 73, was also in the vehicle. All three individuals involved in the accident were transported by ambulance to the East Liverpool City Hospital for minor injuries. A life flight was originally ordered for Mary Firczak but could not be completed due to weather conditions.
NEWELL - The Hancock County Sheriff's Office announced Thursday it is investigating a fatal accident that occurred on state Route 2 Wednesday. According to a press release issued by the Hancock County Sheriff's Office, a 2009 Toyota Corolla driven by John D. Huffman, 77, of New Cumberland, collided with a tanker truck driven by Kevin R. Tapper, 51, of Venango, Pa., on state Route 2 at 7:40 p.m. Wednesday.
Huffman was driving in the southbound lane of Ohio River Boulevard (WV state Route 2) when his vehicle struck the tanker truck that was turning onto the northbound lane of Ohio River Boulevard from Quaker State Road, near the Ergon Chemical Plant.
The accident caused both lanes of state Route 2 to be completely closed off to traffic as members of the Newell Volunteer Fire Department, Chester-Newell Ambulance Service, West Virginia State Police and Hancock County Sheriff's Office assessed the scene.
Huffman was transported to the East Liverpool City Hospital where he was later pronounced dead. An autopsy will be performed by the Columbiana County, Ohio, Coroner's office while the Sheriff's Office continues an investigation.
According to the Sheriff's Office, charges have not been filed at this time and are not not expected until the investigation is completed.
The press release stated that reports of a hazardous material spilling from the tanker truck were proven false after the tanker was found to be carrying a wax material used at Ergon Chemicals.
No further information is available at this time.
