Parkersburg, WV (February 25, 2026) – Two people were transported to the hospital Wednesday morning following a two-vehicle collision that temporarily shut down part of Route 47 in Wood County.
Emergency crews responded at approximately 6:55 a.m. to the intersection of West Virginia Route 47 and Mound Street near the Interstate 77 southbound entrance ramp. Upon arrival, responders found a Jeep Cherokee and a Ford Super Duty pickup truck that had collided. One occupant was trapped inside a vehicle and required extrication.
According to the Wood County Sheriff’s Office, Caleb Torres, 45, of Red House, was driving a Ford Super Duty westbound on Route 47. Tristan Sampson, 24, of Palestine, was attempting to turn left from Route 47 onto the I-77 southbound entrance when the crash occurred. Authorities reported that Sampson appeared to have failed to yield to Torres, resulting in the collision.
Cherokee Wilkey, 45, of Elizabeth, who was seated in the front passenger seat of the Jeep, was trapped and had to be freed by emergency responders. Sampson and Wilkey were transported to WVU-Camden Clark Medical Center for treatment of injuries.
Torres and Martin Ramsey, 30, of Ansted, a passenger in the pickup truck, were evaluated at the scene by paramedics and released.
Our thoughts are with those injured in this terrible accident.
What Happens When a Driver Fails to Yield at a Highway Entrance?
Failure-to-yield crashes frequently occur at intersections and highway entrance ramps where traffic patterns converge. When a driver attempts a left turn across oncoming traffic—such as turning from Route 47 onto the I-77 southbound entrance—they must ensure the roadway is clear before proceeding.
At intersections near major highways like Interstate 77, vehicles may be traveling at varying speeds, and limited sight distance or traffic congestion can increase risk. A miscalculation in timing or speed can lead to a broadside or angled impact, often resulting in significant vehicle damage and occupant injury.
When a crash causes entrapment, as in this case, emergency responders must stabilize the vehicle and use specialized tools to safely remove the injured occupant. These incidents can temporarily shut down roadways while crews work to secure the scene and provide medical care.
Authorities will continue reviewing the circumstances surrounding the collision to determine all contributing factors.
