Upshur County Sheriff’s Office identifies victims of fatal wreck on Old Elkins Road

News Release

September 29, 2022

Community Bulletin

For more than 120 years, the Elkins hospital now known as Davis Medical Center has been where the Potomac Highlands turns for care. Today that includes expert kidney care close to home — sparing many patients a drive out of the region. Read more →

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BUCKHANNON — The Upshur County Sheriff’s Office has identified the two victims of a fatal wreck that occurred on the Old Elkins Road Tuesday afternoon.

According to a press release, the Upshur County Sheriff’s Office investigated the single motor vehicle crash in the Excelsior area of Upshur County that occurred at about 3:54 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 27.

“A silver Jeep Cherokee was operated by Buckhannon resident Michael Pyles, traveling west on Route 151 when he exited the south roadway edge, losing control of the vehicle and traveling north across the road, striking a tree over the embankment,” the release states. “Both Christopher Michael Pyles, 50, and Karen Gimmel, 54, were pronounced deceased on scene.”

Upshur County Sheriff’s Deputy Tanner Collins is investigating the crash. He was assisted by West Virginia State Police, Upshur County EMS, the W.Va. Department of Highways and fire departments from Ellamore and Buckhannon.

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