Woman Drowns after Driving into High Water

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Woman Drowns after Driving into High Water

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Posted: 5:46 AM Dec 10, 2007
Last Updated: 8:14 PM Dec 10, 2007
Reporter: Randy Yohe
Email Address: randy.yohe@wsaz.com

42 comments

A | A | A

A woman is dead after trying to drive through a flooded street in Cabell County.

The Cabell County Sheriff says the victim is 20-year old Kristen H. Kuhn. Deputies say she is currently living in Huntington, but is from Fraziers Bottom in Mason County.

It happened around 12:30 a.m. Monday on John's Creek Road in Milton.

According to the Milton Volunteer Fire Department, Kuhn's car stalled after she tried to drive through high water.

They say once she realized she was stuck, she got out of the car and tried to walk through the water.

That's when the current swept her away.

Firefighters found her body about a quarter-mile down the creek, against a culvert.

Chief Brent Taylor tells us she was alive, but unresponsive when they reached her. They performed C.P.R. on her.

She was then transported to the hospital where she later died.

CLICK ON LINK TO SEE INTERVIEW WITH WITNESS TO THE DROWNING

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Comments are posted from viewers like you and do not always reflect the views of this station.

Posted by: rita howell on Jul 13, 2008 at 06:16 PM
i think it is bad a woman had to lose her life pray for her family.

Posted by: Alyssa on Apr 9, 2008 at 12:55 AM
Kristen will always be in my thoughts and my prayers and will forever be my little sister. I was so hurt to hear of this happening and so angry of how the media was so insenitive. I wish I could have seen or even just talked to her one last time but I know she will always be with me. Kristen was such a free spirited, fun, and beautiful girl that will always be remembered by so many and it is so sad how this has happened but she is now with our great God and looking over all of us. I am praying for my family and I LOVE YOU KRISTEN!

Posted by: anonymous on Dec 15, 2007 at 05:46 PM
Your news station should really put more thought in to the words you choose for a story. Surely you know that the family of the victim of the drowning incident in Milton will see what you air. You said, " she broke the rules "when she chose to try to make it to dry land. Maybe I'm the only one who thinks that your words were insensitive, but that girl was surely terrified and just wanted to get out of the water before her car was swept away. Think about the grieving families when you choose your words.

Posted by: Mom on Dec 15, 2007 at 12:20 PM
It's been five days since I lost my beautiful, precious daughter. I cannot watch the media coverage yet, nor do I ever want to.I cannot imagine how scared my baby was that night. Nobody has the right to judge what she did, and from what I've been told, the coverage was completely misrepresentative and insensitive. I will try to live the rest of my life erasing the bad images the media so loves to depict for their sensationalism, as the one shown at the top of this page, out of my mind. Please Mr. Yohe ,and Mr. Irr, do not put another family throuh this. Put her beautiful face at the top of this page instead of the horrific image that is there.I will instead picture her in God's arms, with her loved ones, and her beloved little animals surrounding her. Kristen was a beautiful, intelligent, free spirit who touched many lives. I know how angry she would be at the media for the way they have depicted the whole incident. I did this for her. Nothing will bring her back. Please pray us.

Posted by: Debby on Dec 15, 2007 at 12:05 PM
My beautiful niece was alone, scared, unable to swim and afraid her car would trap her in the rapidly rising flash flood waters. She made a decision to try and reach safety, but her small body was overcome by the swift current.Yohe and Irr's reports portrayed her as someone who deliberately "broke the rules" and stated that her death would be a "lesson" for others. Your total lack of empathy for us was compounded by the horrid, detailed interview with Ms. King, and the "humerous" report of the man who survived after deliberately driving through posted high water. I held Kris the day she was born and was blessed to watch her grow into an intelligent, creative, and vivacious young woman who lived her life without vanity, and with a zest and individuality that few of us are able to attain. Kris loved her family dearly. Her spirit and love will forever live with us and all who were close her.We are grateful for your expressions of sympathy and prayers.

Posted by: Rachel on Dec 14, 2007 at 11:59 PM
Emily, it is very courageous of you to come on here and post a comment after losing Kris. I also agree with so many others, that Her story is so misrepresented by WSAZ, and their judgment poor on airing the "eye" witness report. I do not know if this woman realizes the sorrow she has brought the friends and family of Kris, but above all it should have been WSAZ's responsibility to edit such sensitive material that proves to be very disturbing to everyone. So ironic that after her story aired they told of a man being trapped on his truck after driving into an area that was flagged as "high water" and Tim Irr amazingly found it to be comical that he had to be airlifted out of the water. Saying all of this does not bring our little Kris back, but somehow in a very insignificant way it makes me feel that I have defended her. I loved my cousin dearly and will miss her tiny little giggle, but hold her memories in my heart forever.

Posted by: Unknown on Dec 13, 2007 at 06:53 PM
I only knew her for a short while. I thought she was a beautiful sweet girl. She was also very funny. She didn't deserve this..she was much too young. My prayers are with ALL her family and friends.

Posted by: Terri on Dec 13, 2007 at 02:08 AM
I have not stopped thinking of this terrible tragedy since I first heard it on this station Monday. When it was announced that it was Kris, I was so shocked and saddened. She was a sweet and beautiful young lady. I too believe that WSAZ came across as unsympathetic and as if they totally blamed Kris. The eye witness interview did NOT need to be shown to the public, it was devastating to hear some of the details that were told. I think more compassion and discretion should have been used. Please keep the family in your prayers.

Posted by: Sophmores At Hannan High School on Dec 12, 2007 at 09:29 AM
We love Emily Kuhn and the loss of her sister has hit everyone here. We only knew Kris our 7th grade year but we will never forget the tradgity that took her life. We pray that her family and our classmate can recover and remember Kris happily in their memories and forget the ignorence of newstations. WE LOVE YOU EM!

Posted by: Cindi on Dec 12, 2007 at 09:11 AM
I know Kris Kuhn and her sister...a few weeks ago I was at their home...just hanging out and it is so crazy that now she is gone...to everyone who says that what she did was foolish, what would you have done??? It was instint kicking in to try to save herself and sadly it didnt work. Kris will be miss and has already be and is being mourned by all that knew her. I have seen the sadness of a whole school that realized that we dont live forever and in one night everything can be gone...and you dont even have to be old.

Posted by: Elizabeth on Dec 12, 2007 at 08:33 AM
I agree with Emily. Kris was not stupid. She knows that her small Cougar would not make it through those waters and most definitely would NOT have tried to make it through. Waters rise so quickly in that spot. Almost every time it rains, it is rushing through there and it rises without warning. WSAZ needs to get the story straight. This is a disgrace to her family and friends. She was only trying to save herself from being swept away inside her car. You can't tell me that any one of you out there would have done it differently, so stop trying to make her sound like she made a bad decision and paid the price for it...

Posted by: Floyd on Dec 12, 2007 at 07:13 AM
Im so sorry to hear about the loss of this young lady. Floods are a terrible thing and water is definetly difficult to judge. Im sure this young lady was just trying to reach safety when she was overcome by the water. Hopefully the state will look into this situation and make this area safe for others by fixing the problem that contributed to this young ladys death. My thoughts and prayers are with this family during this difficult time.

Posted by: Emily on Dec 12, 2007 at 01:42 AM
This is Emily, Kris's sister and younger by four years. I and my family greatly appreciate the comments left by everyone who knew and loved her. However, I am greatly angered by the terrible reporting done by WSAZ. Not only did they misrepresent her story, they tried to make her look foolish. After making a mistake on air, I called the station. They have YET to fix the incorrect information, much less tell her story as it was: a terrible, tragic, natural disaster. Kris DID NOT try to drive through deep water. When she was trying to get through, the water was only a few inches deep. There was a flash flood, and the water started rising very quickly. Her car was being carried backwards and flooding. My sister could not swim and feared for her life. She got out of the car, probably because she was afraid it would be swept into the creek and overturned. When she tried to wade to dry land, the water, which was now waist deep and moving extremely quickly, swept her away.

Posted by: A Loving Brother on Dec 11, 2007 at 10:52 PM
Upon hearing of this story, my heart broke for the family members and loved ones of Kristen Kuhn. Immediately, my thoughts were taken back to June of 1996 where along the same stretch of road my sister Lisa lost her life. The circumstances are strikingly similar. My sister, just like Kristen, was driving this road late at night before she was swept into the creek after apparently leaving her car in high water (this just one night after she turned her car around to avoid high water in another location). She was a strong and beautiful 25 year old when she was taken from us. I am now outraged that another family has to endure the loss of a loved one thanks to what now appears to be a RECURRING problem along this spot of road. I am not sure which State Agency is responsible for flood control, but when 2 lives have been taken at the same place because of the same problem, action needs to be taken. May God be with the Kuhn family as I ask all of you to keep them in your thoughts and prayers.

Posted by: J on Dec 11, 2007 at 10:43 PM
How hard would it be to get that creek or ditch dug a little deeper so that it wouldnt flood as much or as bad? Probably just a few tax dollars, i know that i wouldnt mind mine going towards something like that instead of paying someone to figure out what our state slogan should be. That road could use the creeks dug deeper in more than that spot but anything would help. Maybe that would be something good to do a report on, maybe that would get the ball rolling.

Posted by: Shawna on Dec 11, 2007 at 10:33 PM
Kristen was an exrtaordinary person. I know this because I was blessed to call her my cousin. It has been very difficult to hear the eye witness accounts of those who saw her during the last moments of her life. While considered a newsworthy story for most viewers, these are last moments and memories we (those who knew and loved Kristen) have of her. I have heard many people give their opinions "that girl in Milton" who tried to drive though the water. Maybe it is easier to blame Kristen for "ignoring the rules" because we don't want to think that our lives can be lost so quickly and innocently. If you have ever driven out John's Creek in the dark during a downpour you would realize how quickly your car can drive into the water. It doesn't matter whether she made an error in judgement that cost her her life or whether she did not see the water that was ahead until her it was too late. Kristen is gone and our lives are forever changed.

Posted by: Telise on Dec 11, 2007 at 07:31 PM
I also worked with Kristen at Hot Topic. She was a pleasure to be around and I will miss her very much. This is such a tragedy and I can't help feeling angered by the reporting that was done on this story. No one can say what they would do in a situation where they felt their life were in danger; sure you can tell people what they should do all day long but when the time comes to act you may not know what the right course of action is. Instead of spouting hypothetical’s like "if she had done this she would be alive today" (how cruel to her family that may be watching, by the way) we should focus on what action to take so something like this NEVER happens again. My thoughts and prayers go out to her family and friends.

Posted by: Merry on Dec 11, 2007 at 06:00 PM
WSAZ & Mr. Yohe, What were you thinking about, journalistic excellence? Hardly. As a former resident of the Huntington area, you have definitely lost my confidence for the insensitivity demonstrated toward the family and this young woman's death. Kristen, like any young woman, was scared and panicked. Your disregard for the family in this tragedy is disgraceful and lacks integrity. The lessons learned from this tragedy are obvious. Your negative comments used to "lead" the witness were unnecessary.

Posted by: Anonymous on Dec 11, 2007 at 03:02 PM
I drive this road all the time-just left out from that exact location the night before and would never have dreamed of running into water there and would have done the same thing-tried to get out of the car before it got swept away-she just didn't realize the water wasn't as deep as she probably thought it was and probably didn't know to stay on the high side of the pavement when she got out and not the creek side - the poor baby. Please be kind - It's hard to know what you would do unless you were in her situation. I'm sure it was dark, poor visibility and she was probably into that water before she ever knew it was there and didn't try to drive through it deliberately as everyone is assuming.

Posted by: C. on Dec 11, 2007 at 01:39 PM
I don't know her, but reading the story, she was driving in a rural area at night. If the road wasn't blocked or marked with a high water sign, you can be in it before you even know what is going on. And since it was dark, you can't tell how deep or how fast the water is, so she may have thought she could get out of the car and wade back to dry road. This is a tragic situation that should never have happened. The paper quoted someone as saying "This same thing happened about 10 years ago." How many deaths does it take before the problem in this area is fixed?

Posted by: Amy on Dec 11, 2007 at 10:09 AM
I am praying for your entire family as you go through these difficult times. I am so sorry to hear about this loss.

Posted by: SANDRA on Dec 11, 2007 at 08:09 AM
I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW THE NAME OF THE GENTLEMEN IN YOUR STORY OF THE DEATH OF THE WOMAN IN MILTON. THE GENTLEMEN HAS ON A BLUE JACKET & GLASSES.

Posted by: kayla on Dec 11, 2007 at 06:16 AM
i didnt know kristen very well but she dated my brother and she was a very sweet girl we will all miss her RIP<3

Posted by: Sarah on Dec 10, 2007 at 11:23 PM
Kristen is my dear sweet cousin. It angers me that WSAZ has gone on about her "ignoring" the rules. Most of us would have done exactly the same. She didn't "ignore" the rules, she was a scared, tiny little person who just wanted out of that water. Tim Irr, please stop making her out to be stupid for getting out of her car. She was anything but.

Posted by: Janet on Dec 10, 2007 at 10:51 PM
I feel so sorry for this family. I lost my brother last April the same way. I wish the people that are posting comments would think about this young lady's family before they make careless remarks. If the area is anything like most areas prone to flash flooding, the water raises before you realize it and is difficult to see in the dark especially in the rain unless the area is well lit. She may have thought she would be safer if she tried to get out of the car. She may have thought her car would be swept into the water and overturn. I don't think anyone can say what they would do in that situation. I think the first step in prevention of these tragedies is cleaning up the area surrounding these creeks. Many of these areas are littered with trees that are blocking the flow of the water, and appliances and garbage that people throw out. There also needs to be some type of flood alert system with the radio and t.v. stations. If only one life is saved, it is worth it!

Posted by: The Wilson Family on Dec 10, 2007 at 10:40 PM
As our Church's arms embrace you in love and prayers, God has the strength to guide you.

Posted by: Trish on Dec 10, 2007 at 10:24 PM
I worked with kris at hot topic. She was the cutest little thing ever . My heart and prayers go out to her family and friends . It was great working with her and im sorry this happend.

Posted by: Shama Wallace on Dec 10, 2007 at 09:21 PM
This is terrible. I went to school with Kris. She was a year ahead of me. I pray to God something drastic is done to help prevent future accidents in this area. Her family and friends are in my prayers.

Posted by: Beth on Dec 10, 2007 at 08:59 PM
I didnt know this girl nor her family, but wanted to say my heart and prayers go out to the family at this terrible time.

Posted by: sarah on Dec 10, 2007 at 06:54 PM
i didn't really know kris that well, but i know her little sister emily and if she reads this, know that i'll be praying for you. kris will be greatly missed by everyone who came into contact with her, she was a nice girl.

Posted by: Joshua Nance on Dec 10, 2007 at 06:33 PM
Kris was a good friend of mine from high school..this is soo tragic..if anyone knows the arangments please email me tau_kappa_epsilon.ucwv@yahoo.com

Posted by: Elizabeth on Dec 10, 2007 at 06:27 PM
Kris was one of my best friends...I met her on my first day at Hannan High school...She had an amazing life ahead of her. I'll never forget all the ways she has touched my life and inspired me to be more than just another hugh school student...she inspired me to be myself above all else. She'll be in my heart forever.

Posted by: Demetria on Dec 10, 2007 at 05:48 PM
She was a dear friend of mine from high school. I love her so much, and she will be sadly missed. I hope her tragic misfurtune wasn't in vain and they fix that flood problem. We miss you krissy!

Posted by: Anonymous on Dec 10, 2007 at 05:28 PM
I know this young girls mom and my prayers go out to all of the family

Posted by: Jason on Dec 10, 2007 at 01:49 PM
Tell the state road to fix the road out there and we wouldnt have to wory about flooding so much, it floods there all the time!!

Posted by: natasha waugh on Dec 10, 2007 at 01:12 PM
i feel real sorry for emily and her family i am really upset we all share are love for her.

Posted by: jayne on Dec 10, 2007 at 12:41 PM
we are praying for the family during this hard time...it is hard enough without people leaving opinions and not comments for the family to see.

Posted by: RE on Dec 10, 2007 at 12:08 PM
I used to go to school with chris and i go to school now with her little sister. but i will keep the Kuhn's in my prayers and want you to kno you have my sympathy.

Posted by: Cody on Dec 10, 2007 at 12:03 PM
I can't imagine why she would have tried to walk through the water like that. I knew the girl and she was smart. I'll miss her.

Posted by: Tom on Dec 10, 2007 at 10:20 AM
I will never understand why people try to go threw high water, its just not worth the risk!

Posted by: JA on Dec 10, 2007 at 09:52 AM
Terrible Tradgedy. May God bless Ms. Kuhn's family.

Posted by: Pastor Craig on Dec 10, 2007 at 08:10 AM
This young lady's father is a member of our church and dear friend. My heart aches for him and I respectfully ask those of you who enjoy blogging to be sensitive to their family at this time. And, if you are a person who believes in the power of prayer, pray for them. Thanks and God bless each of you!