Governor Wants Full Report of Turnpike Accident, Delays

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Governor Wants Full Report of Turnpike Accident, Delays

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Posted: 10:43 AM Aug 8, 2008
Last Updated: 10:45 AM Aug 8, 2008
Reporter: Anna Baxter
Email Address: anna.baxter@wsaz.com

27 comments

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CHARLESTON, W.Va. (WSAZ) -- Governor Joe Manchin is asking the West Virginia Parkways Authority for a full report into the fatal accident that closed the Turnpike for more than 15 hours.

Two tractor trailers collided Tuesday afternoon on Interstate 77 near the Chelyan exit. One of the trucks spilled flammable liquid across the road, the other released a powder.

Hazmat crews spent more than 15 hours clearing the roadway.

One person died in the crash.

Now Governor Joe Manchin is asking the West Virginia Parkways Authority for a full report of the incident.

The governor sent the state's transportation secretary to the authority's monthly meeting Thursday to express his concerns about the incident.

The governor tells WSAZ.com he wants to know how the accident was handled and if anything can be improved to keep this from happening again.

He also wants the authority to look at the location of the first toll plaza. The Governor wants to know if it's in the best place or if it should be moved closer to an exit.

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

Posted by: Billy Hill on Aug 12, 2008 at 05:18 AM
So Joe wants a full report. All I can say is: Blah,Blah,Blah.....Blah,Blah..Blah,Blah,Blah,Blah,Blah.....Blah. Because thats all it will amount to.

Posted by: Rich on Aug 11, 2008 at 01:57 AM
One thing you cant do is put Interstate traffic down onto a 2 lane road like Cabin Creek or Paint Creek Road this just adds to the mess

Posted by: John on Aug 10, 2008 at 02:35 PM
The problem is that everyone has to be involved. We have to wait for Billy Bob to get here. He is the only one with the key to the firetruck. I appreciate that many rural areas have only a volunteer EMS system. But within these systems there are fifedoms. This needs to be eliminated. If a person on the volunteer fire dept cannot drive the truck they should not be there.It should not be a matter of some Billy Bob wanting to be more important than the other. it is about service to the community. Everyone should be crosstrained. The state needs to free up money for the vol. FD's to have this training.Better oversight of the operations of the vol. FD to root out the fifedoms and assure professional operations and conduct.The problem also lies in the fact that many do not understand that once extrication occurs it is time to get the raod cleared QUICKLY, before another accident occurs.

Posted by: here is the result on Aug 10, 2008 at 10:05 AM
the governor should do away with the Turnpike authority - WE PAID FOR THE ROAD AND IT WAS PROMISED TO US CITIZENS - the turnpike was supposed to have been free when the road was completed it was stated that once it was paid for there would be no more tolls. AHA another government promise - those republicans and thier promised prosperity and promises of returning public property to the public.

Posted by: Anonymous on Aug 9, 2008 at 09:47 PM
I have an idea! Lets make the Turnpike wider! Or lower the speed limit! These trucks are trying to make these curves at to high a speed. It's hard enough to pass another car in theses curves let alone a tractor-trailor. God be with this drivers family!

Posted by: brandi on Aug 9, 2008 at 11:03 AM
To Luther: I'm so glad to hear that men never have car accidents. To hear you tell it women shouldn't even be allowed to own a car or a cell phone. P.S. Maybe you should go back to first grade for an English lesson.

Posted by: john on Aug 9, 2008 at 09:18 AM
I travel alot on the roads in 12 different states there is only two reasons, Speed and in a hurry to get somewhere!

Posted by: to Bradley @ 2:36a.m. on Aug 9, 2008 at 06:23 AM
If Gov. Joe had been stuck in traffic, the State helicopter would have swooped in with an emergency hairbrush and can of hairspray to save the day.

Posted by: debbie on Aug 9, 2008 at 05:48 AM
all interstates should have some type of emergency evacuation plans! alot of trucks carrying dangerous chemicals travel that turnpike! what if these chemicals would have been life threatening just by breathing them? all those thousands of people out there stuck could have been in some serious danger!

Posted by: Bradley on Aug 9, 2008 at 02:36 AM
Let me ask a question. What do you think what would have happened if Joe Manchin was stuck in traffic?

Posted by: ANON on Aug 9, 2008 at 12:15 AM
I have been caught in one of these episodes. I agree that removable center barriers would help some vehicles be able to turn around and fine another path to their destinations. It could possibly help the emergency vehicles get to their destination, also. Just a thought.

Posted by: Luther on Aug 8, 2008 at 09:17 PM
i could save the guvernor a lot of time. here is your report: > acidents where women were on their phones = 60 % > acidents where women were still dialing, the other 40% when will W Va come up with a law that makes it ilegal to use a cell phone while driveing????? i drive on these roads too, mainly down towards the southern counties and i dont like seeing nomore of these acidents!!!!!

Posted by: James on Aug 8, 2008 at 09:16 PM
Wow so many Monday morning quarterbacks it was an accident people get over it.

Posted by: Gary on Aug 8, 2008 at 07:15 PM
To Mike. There is no such thing as a barly toxic material. Toxic means that it will cause death or serious health problems. Some of the material that is being transported can kill a person with one breath or a drop on the skin. That is why traffic is shut down and people are evacuated. Another reason is to protect the workers at the scene. Untill we have vidio cameras every where you will see alot of equipment on the scene. The first responder is suppose to be the one that makes the call. He is not always the first one on scene or trained to make the call on what is needed. With the cell phone alot of information is recived by the dispather from untrained people. He makes the call to send equipment based on a worst case senerio. Maby you should join a local volunteer emergency services organization and take a few classes. You will rally be enlightened!

Posted by: M on Aug 8, 2008 at 05:39 PM
What does the location of the toll booth have to do with this?

Posted by: Kyle on Aug 8, 2008 at 05:17 PM
I sometimes travel through WV when I need to get to the beach and these toll booths annoy me. Why not move them off the turnpike? Once I was coming through Beckley and there was a major wreck. Several people died and I was stuck in traffic for three hours. I thought they'd close the toll booth so traffic could clear out once the wreckage was moved. I was wrong! They made us all wait and pay!

Posted by: Anon. on Aug 8, 2008 at 05:04 PM
I agree with Mike. Just because there is a fatality doesn't make the the entire situation a funeral home wake/viewing. It's unfortunate that someone died in the accident but Mike nor anyone else knew him personally. So, help traffic detour....To the other anonymous, quit wearing your heart on your sleeve, you didn't know this man nor his family...go about your normal life.

Posted by: sambo on Aug 8, 2008 at 04:57 PM
I would like for Gov. Manchin to look into the incident of this daughter recieving a degree without earning it. I would also like for him to look into why he felt that his wife was the most quallified to be the State Secretary of Education. I expect a full report by Tuesday.

Posted by: Sara on Aug 8, 2008 at 04:41 PM
Guess clean-up crews had nothing else to do. There is no reason why this could not have been taken care of in a timely manner.Prayers to the family of the truck driver.

Posted by: Anonymous on Aug 8, 2008 at 04:24 PM
To C, do you think removing the tolls would improve the roads? No, it would only worsen them. Maybe the tolls should be raised?

Posted by: Anonymous on Aug 8, 2008 at 04:17 PM
Gov Manchin, concerned for the average person??? No way, there has to be an angle!

Posted by: Anonymous on Aug 8, 2008 at 03:34 PM
Hey Mike, I wonder if the family of the man who died considers this a "minor" accident. He lost his life and you're worried about being late. Shame on you!

Posted by: mike on Aug 8, 2008 at 03:32 PM
I've seen reports of numerous wrecks at about this same location. You would think they would install removable center barriers so that vehicles stuck in The Wait could turn around and exit. We were stuck there for several hours on our way back from Florida one year, and it is frustrating since there is no place to go.

Posted by: C on Aug 8, 2008 at 01:27 PM
All of the toll boothes should be moved----Clear off the turnpike. The southern half is the roughest road in the state.

Posted by: tia on Aug 8, 2008 at 12:31 PM
wow at least he's asking of others people opinions before he makes any changes.

Posted by: mike on Aug 8, 2008 at 12:27 PM
I wasn't at the scene of this wreck, but at the ones I have seen, it often puzzles me as to: 1. Why so many emergency vehicles are there, 2. Why are ALL 4 lanes often shut down when it's obvious that it in't necessary, 3. Why such a variety of emergency vehicles and personnel when the wreck is obviously just a "minor" accident, 4. Why must we evacuate residences and re-route traffic for small spills of even barely toxic substances??? I am very thankful for emergency services personnel, and the fact that many of them are volunteers, but does E-V-E-R-Y-B-O-D-Y have to show to E-V-E-R-Y fender-bender, and bring E-V-E-R-Y piece of equipment they have???? Maybe the governor needs to ask these questions, and perhaps one "coordinator" (State or Local Police) should be T-H-E first responder, and then summon ONLY ESSENTIAL Equipment and personnel!! My guess is, alot of taxpayer dollars could be saved by having these questions answered, and changing the way we handle traffic "emergencies"!

Posted by: Ray on Aug 8, 2008 at 11:25 AM
I travel the turnpike almost dailey. There has been a reduction in State Police Patrols. Hardly ever see one. Things have got out of hand for the truckers and out of state travelers.

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