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

Wreck closes Corridor H near Morton Avenue

Route 33 Wreck

BUCKHANNON — A two-vehicle wreck Friday morning closed Route 33 for an extended period of time near the Morton Avenue exit.

According to Lt. Doug Loudin with the Buckhannon Police Department, two trucks were traveling along Route 33 toward Elkins, just east of the Morton Avenue intersection, at 8:36 a.m. Friday.

One truck struck the other from behind, sparking the wreck.

Loudin said James Tomey, 73, of Buckhannon, was driving a 1993 International dump truck with a trailer when he was hit from behind by a 2006 Kenworth tractor-trailer driven by Douglas Decker, 48, of Elkins. The tractor trailer company was reported as Rainbow Trucking LLC out of Coalton.

The impact caused Tomey to strike a guardrail and bridge abutment, rolling on its side and losing a dozer it was hauling.

Tomey was taken to St. Joseph’s Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. He was treated and had been released as of Friday afternoon, according to Lisa Wharton, St. Joseph’s Hospital vice president for marketing, public relations and foundation.

Pending investigation, no citations were issued at the scene.

The West Virginia Public Service Commission, W.Va. State Police (Barbour County detachment) Upshur County EMS and the Department of Highways all responded as the wreck was cleaned up over a period of several hours.

“It was a mess,” Loudin said. “It took us from 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. to get it cleaned up.”

Share this story:

Local Businesses

RECENT Stories

Winter storm warning issued for Upshur County with 6 to 10 inches of snow expected over the weekend

Heavy snow is forecast from Saturday afternoon through early Monday morning, with bitter cold to follow.

Buckhannon Toyota donates $10,000 to Feed My Sheep to fund Christmas meal baskets

Buckhannon Toyota donated $10,000 to Feed My Sheep Food Outreach to help fund about 400 Christmas meal baskets and other holiday support for families, seniors, veterans and the homeless.

Buckhannon Community Theatre honors Felicia Burger Westfall Johnston with 2025 Knorr Award

Felicia Burger Westfall Johnston, an early pioneer of Buckhannon Community Theatre who has starred in productions and served on the board of directors, received the 2025 Knorr Award.

Leadership Upshur dives into healthcare and public safety during December session

The December Leadership Upshur session offered participants a close look at the people, systems and teamwork that keep the community safe and healthy, with visits to Community Care of West Virginia, WVU Medicine St. Joseph’s Hospital and the Buckhannon Public Safety Complex.

Garnieta “Gay” Baxa

Garnieta “Gay” Baxa, 92, of Old Elkins Road died December 10, 2025; she is survived by husband Howard “Frank” Baxa, three children, seven grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren and extended family, with services at Heavner and Cutright.

Basketball ‘Cats tumble to Point Park, 90-66

Point Park’s hot perimeter shooting and a dominant second half sank WVWC 90-66, with the Pioneers hitting 15 threes and capitalizing on turnovers while Wesleyan’s Isaiah Baker and Stephen Ovia fought inside.

Dandridge scores 30 as Wesleyan women down Point Park, 83-58

Freshman Kilah Dandridge scored 30 points as West Virginia Wesleyan shot 53% and dominated a 29‑point third quarter to beat Point Park 83-58, paced by Ana Young (18) and Emma Witt (15).

Webster Springs man arrested on strangulation charge after allegedly spitting on and choking victim

Police arrested a man on a felony strangulation charge after he allegedly admitted to spitting on, slapping and choking another person, according to a criminal complaint.

Volga man arrested after threatening officer at Upshur County Courthouse

A 59-year-old Volga man was arrested after allegedly threatening a deputy during processing at the Upshur County Courthouse following a DUI stop. He faces charges including DUI, possession of marijuana and retaliation against a public official; bail is $19,500.