Harrison County, WV — November 2, 2025, one person was injured due to a truck accident at about 11:30 a.m. along Interstate Highway 79.

According to authorities, the accident took place in the southbound lanes of Interstate highway 79 in the vicinity of Lost Creek. The exact location of the accident has yet to be specified in news reports.

Officials indicate that, for as yet unknown reasons, an 18-wheeler left the roadway and overturned over a guardrail. The person who had been behind the wheel of the truck reportedly sustained injuries of unknown severity over the course of the accident; they were transported to an area medical facility by EMS in order to receive necessary treatment. Additional details pertaining to this incident—including the identity of the victim—are not available at this point in time. The investigation is currently ongoing.

Commentary by Attorney Michael Grossman

When an 18-wheeler leaves the roadway and overturns over a guardrail, one of the most important questions is why the driver lost control in the first place. These kinds of single-vehicle crashes rarely happen without warning signs—they’re often tied to factors that a thorough investigation can uncover and document.

One common cause is driver fatigue or distraction, particularly in daytime wrecks where weather and visibility likely weren’t contributing issues. If the driver drifted out of the lane or failed to respond to a curve or grade in the road, that could indicate inattention, slowed reaction time, or even a medical episode. Investigators will need to pull ECM data, braking inputs, and cell phone records to help clarify what the driver was doing in the lead-up to the crash.

Another possibility is a mechanical failure, such as a steering or suspension problem that caused the truck to veer. In that case, the responsibility may fall not just on the driver, but on whoever was responsible for maintaining the vehicle—especially if inspection records show missed red flags.

The fact that the truck went over the guardrail also raises questions about speed and load stability. Was the truck traveling too fast for the curve? Was the cargo improperly secured, causing a shift in weight during a steering correction? These details matter not just for explaining the crash, but for determining whether it was preventable and who may be liable.

Key Takeaways:

• The core issue is why the truck departed the roadway—a question that can often be answered through data and driver history.
• Driver distraction, fatigue, or a medical event could explain a failure to maintain lane control.
• A full mechanical inspection is essential to rule out equipment failure as a contributing factor.
• The truck’s ability to go over the guardrail may suggest excess speed or shifting cargo.
• Even single-vehicle crashes involving commercial trucks often point to preventable causes tied to oversight or error.