Kanawha Co., WV (July 2, 2026) – One person died early on Wednesday morning, July 1, after a head-on crash involving an SUV and a coal truck in Kanawha County.
The crash was reported around 3:40 a.m. in the 5800 block of Kanawha Boulevard East, also identified as part of U.S. 60. The Kanawha County Sheriff’s Office said deputies found both vehicles with severe damage.
A preliminary investigation indicated the SUV was traveling west in the eastbound lanes before colliding head-on with the coal truck. The SUV driver was pronounced dead at the scene.
All lanes were closed for several hours on Wednesday morning while deputies investigated and crews cleared the roadway. The Kanawha County crash remains under review.
Our condolences go to the driver’s family and loved ones.
Truck Crashes From Opposite Directions Bring Serious Dangers
Head-on crashes are especially dangerous because vehicles meet from opposite directions. When one of the vehicles is a large truck, the size and weight difference may make the damage far more severe for people in smaller vehicles.
Early morning crashes may also create added roadway hazards. Darkness, limited visibility, and lighter traffic patterns may affect how quickly drivers notice a vehicle traveling in the wrong direction or react to sudden danger.
Extended lane closures are common after fatal truck accidents. Investigators may need time to document vehicle positions, examine road markings, inspect damage, and determine what happened before the roadway safely reopens.
