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

Police: Vehicle that wrecked off West Main Street exit had been traveling ‘at a high rate of speed’

This Mercury Milan was traveling east on the West Main Street exit at a high rate of speed when the driver lost control of his vehicle and struck the sidewalk on the east side of West Main Street. / Photo by Monica Zalaznik

BUCKHANNON – Two people who were transported to St. Joseph’s Hospital with possible injuries following a single-vehicle wreck on the West Main Street exit Monday have been treated and released.

The driver of a 2006 gray Mercury Milan, 32-year-old Shawn Watson, and a passenger, Shalina Simmons, were taken to the hospital by Upshur EMS following the wreck near the West Main Street exit onto Old Route 33.

The wreck occurred at 11:50 p.m. Monday, March 21, according to the wreck report filed by investigating officer Lt. Doug Loudin with the Buckhannon Police Department.

According to the report, Watson was driving the Mercury Milan, traveling east on the West Main Street exit at a high rate of speed when he lost control of his vehicle and struck the sidewalk on the east side of West Main Street. The vehicle went airborne and crashed into an embankment on the opposite side of the creek before impacting a billboard sign located beside the creek bed.

The report says a witness stated she was stopped at the stop sign waiting to turn right onto West Main Street and saw the vehicle come flying by at about 80 mph before going over the embankment.

Another witness told police that the Milan “came flying down the exit ramp” as she was turning right onto West Main Street and crossed the road, striking the sidewalk before going airborne and landing in the embankment.

Watson and passenger Shalina Simmons were transported to St. Joseph’s Hospital with non-incapacitating injuries by Upshur County EMS. As of Tuesday afternoon, Watson and Simmons had been treated and released, according to Lisa Wharton, vice president for marketing, communications and Foundation with St. Joseph’s Hospital.

Monday’s wreck from another vantage point. / Photo by Monica Zalaznik

Share this story:

Local Businesses

RECENT Stories

Buckhannon Banter: Get the local lowdown for July 2, 2025

This week in Buckhannon, local organizations plan events and clinics — including a big July 4th celebration — and several community initiatives aim to engage residents of all ages.

Emergency agencies stress need for coordinated incident plans during large events with road closures

Emergency officials emphasized the need for incident action plans and coordination with public safety agencies for large events that close major streets, citing upcoming car shows and other street-closure events to ensure fast, safe emergency responses.
BUHS Sports

B-U now in Class AAAA in all sports; moved to new South Region after WVSSAC restructuring

Buckhannon-Upshur High School will compete in Class AAAA — the highest division — for all sports and has been moved to the new South Region under a two-year realignment by the West Virginia Secondary School Activities Commission.

Stockert Youth and Community Center Board Meeting Agenda: July 3, 2025

The Stockert Youth and Community Center Board will meet July 3, 2025, with an agenda set to discuss organizational matters and upcoming events.

Buckhannon Waste Board Agenda: July 3, 2025

The City of Buckhannon Waste Collection Board has released the agenda for its upcoming meeting on July 3, 2025.

Woman arrested on six felony charges after allegedly shooting at a man in Upshur County

Jocelyn M. Krum, 28, of Charleston, was arrested on six felony charges after allegedly entering a Mt. Lebanon Road residence in Upshur County with a rifle and shooting at a man before fleeing the scene.

Buckhannon man sentenced to 11 to 21 years for Bailey Ridge Road shootout

Austin W. Arbogast, 26, was sentenced to 11 to 21 years in prison after pleading guilty to four felony charges stemming from a March 2024 shootout on Bailey Ridge Road while attempting to retrieve his child.

Mountain East Conference extends invitation to Shawnee State University

The Mountain East Conference has approved Shawnee State University as its 12th full-time member, with the school set to join in 2026 pending NCAA Division II acceptance and expanding league competition in 19 sports.
Davis and Elkins College

Davis & Elkins College students recognized for high academic honors for Spring 2025 semester

Davis & Elkins College has announced the Spring 2025 president’s list, for students earning 4.0 GPAs, and dean’s list, for those earning 3.6 to 3.99, honoring academic excellence campus-wide.