Lincoln County, WV — January 5, 2026, Rachel Nelson sustained fatal injuries due to a truck accident early Monday morning on Dairy Road.

Initial details about the crash say that it happened near West Hamlin off Highway 10.

According to the West Virginia State Police, 47-year-old Rachel Lynn Nelson was in a vehicle going northbound on Dairy Road. A WV Division of Highways truck was going the opposite direction. Those vehicles collided head-on.

Due to the collision, Rachel Nelson sustained fatal injuries. No other injuries were confirmed. Investigations are ongoing.

Commentary by Attorney Michael Grossman

When a family calls about a deadly truck wreck, they usually want to know the same thing: How can they be sure their loved one's side of the story is told fairly? Well, a prudent first step would be to ask authorities what steps they've taken in the investigations. Their answers can sometimes reveal shortcomings that require independent investigators to step in.

Are authorities pulling phone records? Did they map out debris patterns and road markings? Did they extract data from the vehicles' Engine Control Modules? Is there any camera footage, either from the truck or any nearby homes or businesses? Are there independent witnesses, or did authorities only gather a statement from the surviving driver?

Generally speaking, if authorities can provide clear, convincing answers, it's a sign they were thorough in their efforts and did good work. But when families feel the details aren't adding up, or if they're left with unanswered questions, having independent accident reconstructionists fill in the blanks might reveal that there's more to the story than the official reports suggest.