Cleanup along Martinsburg Road continued Thursday morning.
photo by Mindy Pulse
A truck from a Front Royal hauling company tipped onto its side on a sharp curve along Martinsburg Road early Thursday morning, closing both lanes of the main roadway for several hours. The accident happened roughly 7 miles east of Berkeley Springs.
The road remained closed to traffic for more than 9 hours while responders cleared debris from the traveling lanes. Emergency dispatchers said hazardous materials operations were complete at 9:15 a.m. and the scene was turned over the law enforcement. Morgan County Deputy Reserves were on the scene early after the accident to assist with traffic control. Traffic remained backed up along the main east-west route for most of the day, causing residents to detour on smaller back roads.
The truck was carrying vinyl siding in crates on the open bed truck.
According to a press release from the Sheriff’s Department, the 911 center was alerted to the wreck, in the area of the former Lutman Orchards, at 4 a.m.
A nearby resident said she heard a loud bang around 3:30 a.m. and went to see what caused the noise.
“Preliminary reports released that the driver was not aware of the roadway and curves and lost control, overturning the truck and trailer,” said Sheriff K.C. Bohrer. The driver was identified as Norman Wilkinson of Front Royal, Va.
Captain Tim Stapleton of the Sheriff’s Department was the initial investigator at the crash scene. The incident is also being investigated by the West Virginia Department of Transportation.
Washington County, Md.’s hazardous materials team assisted on the scene, along with the Berkeley Springs Volunteer Fire Department and Morgan County EMS.
