Bluefield, WV (September 13, 2025) – A serious crash occurred early Thursday morning on U.S. Route 460 near Bluefield, involving a tractor-trailer hauling heavy equipment and a car. The collision resulted in one person being flown out by helicopter to a nearby hospital for life-threatening injuries.
The crash was reported at approximately 8 a.m., and units from the Bluefield Police Department, Bluefield Fire Department, and the Mercer County Sheriff’s Department responded promptly to the scene. Authorities closed a section of Route 460 between the Route 19 intersection and the John Nash Interchange to allow emergency crews to safely operate and a helicopter ambulance to land.
According to Corporal E.P. Parks, who was investigating the crash along with Lt. L.B. Murphy and Deputy M.J. Mikles, the collision occurred when a black vehicle attempted to pass a tractor-trailer carrying heavy machinery in the left lane. The tractor-trailer was moving slowly as it approached the John Nash Interchange, and the driver of the car attempted to pass the large vehicle on the right. In doing so, the car clipped the rear bed of the tractor-trailer, resulting in the crash.
Emergency responders quickly extricated the injured driver from the car. Due to the severity of the injuries, the victim, who was alone in the vehicle, was airlifted to a hospital. While the specific hospital was not confirmed, it is believed the victim was transported to Roanoke. No other injuries were reported in connection with the crash.
Our thoughts are with those recovering from this serious incident, and we wish them a full recovery.
Investigation and Traffic Disruptions on Route 460
Route 460’s east and westbound lanes were shut down while the helicopter landed and emergency responders attended to the scene. Chief David Thompson of the Green Valley-Glenwood Volunteer Fire Department reported that the Bluefield Fire Department was the first to arrive and successfully extricated the driver.
The crash resulted in significant traffic delays as debris was cleared from the roadway. Route 460’s eastbound lane reopened around 9:15 a.m., with the westbound lane following shortly after. A wrecker arrived to tow the vehicle, and the West Virginia Department of Highways assisted in clearing the debris.
Investigators are still looking into the cause of the crash, with reports suggesting that there may be video footage of the incident that could provide further details. Authorities are continuing to investigate, and updates will follow as more information becomes available.
