Two injured in Kesling Mill intersection wreck Thursday

Community Bulletin

Job seekers in Upshur County can browse local help-wanted ads in one place on My Buckhannon's job listings page, where every opening comes from an established local employer or community partner. Read more →

This story brought to you paywall-free, courtesy of the My Buckhannon team and our community partners

BUCKHANNON – Two people were injured – one seriously – in a two-vehicle wreck at the intersection of Kesling Mill Road and U.S. Route 33 late Thursday morning.

The accident happened just after 11 a.m. when a red Dodge Intrepid being driven by Debra Davis, 70, of Hico, West Virginia, was traveling eastbound on Route 33, and a GMC pickup truck being driven by George Smith, 77, of Buckhannon, tried to cross four lanes of traffic from the Kesling Mill Road to get to Route 151, the old Elkins Road.

Investigating officer Cpl. T.A. Menendez with the Buckhannon detachment of the West Virginia State Police said Smith crossed the westbound lane of Route 33, stopped in the median and was attempting to cross the eastbound lanes but did not see Davis and a female passenger traveling eastbound.

“He failed to see Ms. Davis, and basically pulled out right into the driver’s side of the Dodge Intrepid,” Menendez said Thursday afternoon.

Menendez said the Dodge Intrepid spun around several times before coming to rest facing eastbound against the guardrail. Upshur EMS transported both Davis and her passenger to St. Joseph’s Hospital, and Davis was later transferred to Ruby Memorial Hospital in Morgantown with a serious injury.

Fred Eberle Technical Center

The incident is still being investigated, and Menendez said he found Smith at fault. Smith was not injured in the wreck.

The wreck came less than one day after My Buckhannon first reported that West Virginia Department of Highways will install stoplights at both the Kesling Mill and Childers Run intersections on Route 33 next year. Read about the decision to install traffic signals at the notoriously dangerous intersections by clicking here.

Local Businesses

My Buckhannon
WVU Medicine St. Joseph's Hospital

Recent Stories

Stephen David Randall

Stephen David Randall, 77, of Buckhannon, passed away on August 20, 2026. A licensed captain and lifelong adventurer, he was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, sailor, and entrepreneur. Visitation will be held from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 12, at Wesley Chapel.

Obituary Stephen David Randall

Upshur County Sports Calendar

Upshur County’s Sept. 7-13 sports calendar features Buckhannon-Upshur and West Virginia Wesleyan teams competing in football, soccer, golf, volleyball, cross country and tennis. Labor Day has no scheduled events.

Marlene Warner Ledbetter

Marlene Warner Ledbetter, 89, of Buckhannon, WV, died at home on September 4, 2026. A Baptist and bookkeeper, she loved oil painting and devoted herself to caring for her parents and husband.

Obituary Marlene Warner Ledbetter