All schools in Upshur County will close at 1 p.m. today. All B-UHS sporting events today are canceled.

Update: Police identify two killed in Thursday wreck

The Buckhannon Police Department has released the names of two people who were killed in a wreck at the intersection of Route 33 and Childers Run Road Thursday evening.

According to police chief Matt Gregory, Harry Matthew Hymes II, 82, and Sarah Downes, 65, both of Buckhannon, died in the wreck.

The crash occurred as Hymes was driving southbound on Childers Run Road and attempted to cross Route 33 in a 2007 Chevy Cobalt, Gregory said. He pulled in front of a Freightliner tractor-trailer traveling east on Route 33, toward Elkins, which collided with the passenger side of the car, knocking the vehicle off the road and onto its top.

The tractor-trailer was driven by Benjamin Carl Ellis II of Spring, Texas, who was taken to St. Joseph’s Hospital for evaluation. The truck was owned by Landstar, a transportation services company based in Jacksonville, Fla.

Downes was a passenger in the Chevy Cobalt.

Gregory said the wreck occurred at 7:15 p.m. and Hymes and Downes were pronounced dead at the scene at 7:38 p.m. Both were wearing seatbelts.

Cpl. Darin Hissam with the BPD is the investigating officer; he was assisted by patrolman Tanner Collins. The Buckhannon Fire Department and Upshur County EMS also responded to the scene.

The Route 33 intersections with Childers Run and Kesling Mill are among the most dangerous in Upshur County and have been the site of numerous wrecks over the years. Gregory said their safety needs to be continuously evaluated by the W.Va. Department of Highways.

Buckhannon mayor David McCauley mourned the loss of Hymes in a Facebook post Friday morning.

“With great sadness, I regret to share with our B-U community, the very sudden passing of our longtime assistant city attorney and former municipal court judge, H. Matthew ‘Matt’ Hymes II,” McCauley wrote. “Matt was an alumnus of Buckhannon-Upshur High School, West Virginia Wesleyan College, and graduated from the West Virginia University law school.

“He was a longtime law partner with Coleman & Wallace, a 50+ year member of the Buckhannon Lions Club, a parishioner at First United Methodist Church, a veteran of our armed services, a former adjunct instructor at Wesleyan and a fixture on our tennis courts. In recent years, Matt had volunteered as a tennis coach with the B-UHS tennis team.”

McCauley said the city is devastated by Hymes’ passing.

“Matt supported all things involving the children of our community,” the mayor wrote. “All of us at city hall and our city organization are devastated with his loss, and we grieve Matt’s passing with his family, friends and all of us who dearly loved him.”

Gregory, too, worked with Hymes for years at the city.

“I knew Matt for the bulk of my career,” Gregory said. “He was a gentle man and a professional, and he will be sadly missed.”

Fatal wreck on Route 33 at Kesling Mill and Childers Run intersection

Share this story:

Local Businesses

RECENT Stories

Summer basketball

Summer league basketball wraps up week two

Week two of the Upshur County Summer Basketball League concluded with standout scoring performances and multiple games, including two forfeits by Country Roads Physical Therapy.

City council to review water board’s recommendation for new water treatment plant

The Buckhannon Water Board has recommended moving forward with a new water treatment plant and related infrastructure upgrades, sending a proposal to the city council for approval.

Gail Lovel Zickefoose

Gail L. Zickefoose, a dedicated educator, community leader, and beloved family man, passed away peacefully at age 83 after a long illness, leaving a legacy of service, kindness, and devotion to others.

Buckhannon City Council Agenda: July 15, 2025

The Buckhannon City Council released the agenda for its upcoming July 15, 2025, meeting.

Upshur County Relay for Life aims to raise $35,000 for cancer research on July 19

The Upshur County Relay for Life will host its annual event July 19 at Jawbone Park, aiming to raise $35,000 for cancer research while celebrating survivors and bringing the community together through activities and remembrance ceremonies.

WVU Medicine St. Joseph’s Hospital team members engage in statewide healthcare leadership program

Two WVU Medicine St. Joseph’s Hospital employees were honored by the West Virginia Hospital Association Leadership Academy, with Paula Cutright graduating and Matthew Scott selected for future participation in the statewide healthcare leadership program.

Post 7 drops outings to Doddridge and Morgantown

Buckhannon Post 7 suffered consecutive road defeats, falling 10-2 to Doddridge County and 11-0 to Morgantown Post 2, dropping their season record to 2-15.

Summer basketball league begins week two

The Upshur County Summer Basketball League entered its second week with standout performances from top scorers including Cory Harper, Dalton Hamrick, Cordell Nicola, and Vinny Snuffer leading their teams across multiple games.

Buckhannon City Council Special Meeting Agenda: July 15, 2025

The Buckhannon City Council has released the agenda for its special meeting scheduled for July 15, 2025.