WVDOH investigates guardrail after fatal crash

KANAWHA COUNTY, W.Va. (WSAZ) - A 10-year-old girl died, and a 13-year-old boy was injured in a crash Monday.

The family is left to mourn the loss of their daughter after the crash on Church Road in the Pinch area.

Deputies said the girl did not have a seatbelt on, she was partially ejected from the truck and when the truck hit the guardrail it gave way.

When the guardrail gave way, it brought the truck down the embankment with it.

Deputies said speed and faulty equipment may have played a role in the crash along with the guardrail not supporting the vehicle upon impact.

The West Virginia Department of Highways was called out to investigate the guardrail to learn why it did not withstand the impact of the truck in the crash.

WSAZ started searching for answers. WSAZ reporter Kim Rafferty asked a list of questions for the WVDOH including:

- Why did the guardrail give way?

- Will the DOH look for more guardrails that could give way?

- How is the performance of the guardrails monitored?

- Do you have any inventory of guardrails in the state?

- Do you have any information to the performance of guardrails in West Virginia?

WSAZ received a response saying in part:

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