HUTTONSVILLE, WV (LOOTPRESS) – The driver of a vehicle that fatally struck a woman will not be charged following an investigation.
According to the Randolph County Sheriff’s Office, a pedestrian was fatally struck by a vehicle early Tuesday morning on Route 250 near the Huttonsville Par-Mar.
Deputies Davis and Pingley responded to the scene, where they found the pedestrian, identified as Debbie Bennett, 41, of Huttonsville, seriously injured.
Despite life-saving efforts, Bennett was pronounced dead during transport by EMS.
According to the investigation, Bennett was walking south in the grass area with headphones on, facing away from oncoming traffic.
Witnesses and the driver reported that she was looking down at her phone when she stepped into the roadway and was struck.
The driver, who remained at the scene and cooperated with authorities, reported no impairment after a standardized field sobriety test.
Witnesses at the gas pumps corroborated the driver’s account, observing Bennett’s inattention due to her phone and headphones.
The vehicle involved sustained significant front-end damage.
Further investigation revealed that Bennett had consumed alcohol approximately two hours before the accident, though the exact amount is unknown.
Sheriff Robert R. Elbon Jr. concluded that the driver was not at fault, attributing the accident to Bennett’s distraction and possible alcohol influence.
The case has been closed as an accident.
