27-year-old passenger killed, driver in critical condition after Route 33 collision

BUCKHANNON – A two-vehicle collision on Route 33 killed one person and left another in critical condition.

Buckhannon Police Chief Matt Gregory said officers responded to a wreck on Route 33 at 3:22 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 29.

“A 2020 Toyota RAV4 was traveling westbound on Route 33 when it had a collision with a 2012 Ford Focus, which was crossing Route 33 at WBUC Road. It was a T-bone type collision,” Gregory said. “It was not the Huddle House side, but the other side.”

Gregory said Aislinn Posey, 27, of Buckhannon, a passenger in the 2012 Ford Focus, died as a result of the collision. The driver of the Ford Focus, Thomas Knight, 35, of Jane Lew, was in critical condition at Ruby Memorial Hospital in Morgantown as of Friday afternoon.

“Two juveniles were backseat passengers, a two-year-old and a one-year-old,” Gregory said. “They had minor injuries, to my understanding, but they were taken to Ruby for observation.”

The other vehicle, the Toyota RAV4, was driven by Earl Conrad, 51, of Weston. According to Gregory, he was transported to WVU Medicine St. Joseph’s Hospital, where Gregory said he believes Conrad was treated and released.

An investigation into the collision is ongoing.

The intersection, which has been the site of numerous crashes, was closed for an extended period Thursday as first responders worked to rescue those involved. HealthNet landed at the scene and also at St. Joseph’s Hospital, and all available Upshur County ambulances were dispatched to transport victims.

Gregory said the Buckhannon Police Department was assisted by units from Lewis and Randolph counties, as well as the Buckhannon Fire Department, Upshur County Sheriff’s Office and the West Virginia State Police.