SLANESVILLE, W.Va. — New details were released Tuesday about a vehicle crash involving an Ohio family that left a 10-year-old girl dead in Hampshire County early Saturday.
“Through (the) investigation by members of the Hampshire County Sheriff’s Office, it appears the vehicle was traveling south on Route 29,” Sheriff Nathan Sions said. “The vehicle did not stop at the stop sign prior to entering Route 127.”
Sions said the 2019 Dodge van traveled across Route 127 and Frank Haines Road, through a gravel parking lot and over an embankment, striking a tree.
The driver, Rodney Schafer, 57, of Toledo, reportedly told deputies he may have fallen asleep, causing the crash.
“Schafer reported he left Ohio on Friday and was traveling to Virginia Beach with his four children,” Sions said.
Sions said that Schafer’s two daughters were laying down sleeping and not secured by seat belts.
The 10-year-old died at the scene, according to Sions.
A 6-year-old boy was flown by a Maryland State Police Aviation Command helicopter to WVU Medicine Golisano Children’s Hospital on the campus of the J.W. Ruby Memorial Hospital with serious injuries, according to Sions.
A 15-year-old boy, an 8-year-old girl and Schafer were taken to Winchester Medical Center in Winchester, Virginia, for treatment, Sions said.
“This remains an active investigation and evidence is continuing to be reviewed and collected,” Sions said. “Further updates will be provided with any developments and as appropriate.”
The juvenile’s name will not be released, Sions said.
Slanesville and Augusta volunteer fire departments and ambulances from Hampshire and Morgan counties responded to the crash, Sion said.