BUCKHANNON – A man involved in a single-vehicle rollover accident that occurred Friday on U.S. Route 33 East has died from injuries suffered in the wreck.
Hampton W. Ervolina, 49, of Elkins, passed away Friday, Feb. 14, from injuries he received in the wreck that happened earlier the same day when he was traveling east toward Elkins on U.S. Route 33, according to a West Virginia State Police press release issued Wednesday.
Investigating officer Cpl. V.J. Pyles with the Buckhannon detachment of the WVSP said the investigation revealed that Ervolina lost control while traveling east and entered the median before rolling about three times. He was ejected from the vehicle.
“It did not appear Mr. Ervolina was wearing his seatbelt at the time of the crash,” Pyles wrote in the release.
The release goes on to say Ervolina’s dog, who had been riding in the vehicle at the time of the crash, survived and fled from the scene. The dog was found after Ervolina’s family and area residents posted information on social media.
Weather conditions – including heavy snowfall – prevented HealthNet from flying Ervolina to Morgantown, so he was transported by a ground crew.
The release notes the wet roadway and falling snow likely played a role in the crash. However, the investigation is ongoing.
According to a previous story, the wreck occurred near the 18-mile-marker and East/Hardman Road intersection when Ervolina, who had been driving a 1999 Toyota 4-Runner, was traveling east at about 4:45 p.m.
