Driver lost control of truck northbound near mile marker 130
March 16, 2026 | Marion, WV
A 51-year-old driver from Pleasant Valley faced arrest following a DUI-related rollover collision in Marion County.
Kevin Hays, 51, was arrested after a DUI-related rollover involving a 2013 Ram pickup on Interstate 79 near mile marker 130 in Marion County.
What Happened in the Crash?
Kevin Hays was operating a 2013 Ram pickup truck northbound on Interstate 79 when he lost control near mile marker 130 around 7 p.m. on March 16. The vehicle overturned, leading to injuries for a passenger who required hospital treatment.
- Driver: Kevin Hays, 51, of Pleasant Valley
- Vehicle: 2013 Ram pickup truck
- Location: Interstate 79 near mile marker 130, Marion, WV
- Time: Approximately 7 p.m.
- Injuries: Passenger transported to a local hospital
- Charges: Aggravated DUI after admitting to alcohol consumption, failing field sobriety tests, and registering a blood alcohol content of 0.167
Why Do DUI Crashes Occur?
Impaired driving remains a leading cause of preventable road accidents, often resulting from alcohol's effects on judgment, vision, coordination, and reaction times.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), alcohol-impaired driving claims over 10,000 lives annually in the U.S. The National Safety Council reports that such incidents account for about 10% of fatal automobile accidents, making them the second-leading cause of vehicle-related deaths.
Statistic |
Source |
Details |
|---|
Annual U.S. drunk driving fatalities |
CDC |
Over 10,000 lives lost each year |
Percentage of fatal crashes due to impairment |
National Safety Council |
Approximately 10% |
Annual injuries from drunk drivers |
Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) |
About 300,000 people injured |
Legal Insights
National legal analysts emphasize the severe consequences of impaired driving in motor vehicle incidents.
“Drunken and drugged drivers face criminal charges in cases such as this, where an accident causes harm or fatalities,” noted Candice Bond, managing partner at Bond Legal.
Bond further explained that families of those affected may seek compensation through civil actions against the at-fault party.
- Impaired drivers risk criminal prosecution for endangering others on the road.
- Victims can pursue claims for medical expenses, lost wages, and emotional distress.
- Insurance providers often minimize payouts, underscoring the need for legal guidance in these situations.
Stefano Formica, of counsel with Bond Legal, added:
“Injured parties in collisions like this may file personal injury claims to address costs including medical bills, future care, income loss, trauma, and suffering.”
He highlighted how dedicated representation ensures accountability from insurers.
Preventing Future Incidents
Authorities stress education and enforcement to curb DUI risks. The Federal Highway Administration advocates for stricter sobriety checkpoints and public awareness campaigns to reduce impaired driving occurrences.
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If you’ve been injured or lost a loved one due to a drunk driver, national legal analyst Candice Bond offers free consultations to guide you.
(Candice Bond, our national legal analyst, is a Managing Partner at Bond Legal. Newsline can and does use quotes from prior interviews with our analysts for our news articles. If you would like to contact Bond Legal to help you, please call 866-985-6515 or use the submission box found on this page. Legal analysts quoted may or may not be licensed in your state).