by Paul Darst

STAFF WRITER

CLARKSBURG -- Two Harrison County residents were transported to area hospitals following a two-vehicle accident at the intersection of U.S. Route 50 and state Route 98 Monday.

Jeffrey Martin Sr. was flown by HealthNet to Ruby Memorial Hospital in Morgantown after rescuers had to cut off the door and roof of his Ford LTD to get him out of the vehicle. Martin was in fair condition Monday evening, according to a nursing supervisor.

Leona Wood, of Clarksburg, who was driving a Nissan Sentra, was taken to United Hospital Center by the Harrison County Emergency Medical Squad, Harrison County Sheriff's Deputy P.B. McCarty said. She was being evaluated in the emergency room but was listed in stable condition Monday evening, according to Suzanne Hornor, hospital spokeswoman.

McCarty did not have information about a passenger in Wood's car.

Investigators believe that Martin pulled into the eastbound lane of Route 50 from the north side of the intersection into the path of Wood's vehicle, said Deputy P.M. Osbourn.

No citations were issued Monday and the accident remains under investigation, Osbourn said.

Route 98 was closed because of the accident. Eastbound traffic on Route 50 was reduced to one lane, then was stopped to allow the helicopter to land.

Crews from the Reynoldsville, Anmoore and Stonewood volunteer fire departments, the Harrison County Emergency Medical Squad, the West Virginia State Police and sheriff's department responded to the accident.

Staff writer Paul Darst can be reached at 626-1404 or by e-mail at pdarst@exponent-telegram.com.