Published: October 03, 2008 09:01 am         

Three-vehicle wreck on U.S. Route 220 injures six

One flown to Va. hospital after crash south of Keyser

KEYSER, W.Va. — One person was flown to Inova Hospital in Fairfax, Va., four were taken to Cumberland Memorial Hospital and one to Potomac Valley Hospital following a three-vehicle crash Wednesday night on U.S. Route 220 south of Keyser.

Ryan Hoffert, 30, of Keyser was flown by Aircare 4 helicopter to the Fairfax hospital following the 8:55 p.m. crash, according to the Mineral County Sheriff’s Department.

Elizabeth Hoffert, 33, of Keyser; Hether Lynn Tinker, 27, Keyser; Karen Burns, 30, Keyser; and an unidentified 11-year-old girl were all taken to Cumberland Memorial.

Teddy Lee Nester, 18, of Keyser was taken to Potomac Valley Hospital.

No information was available concerning the extent of injuries of the patients or their medical conditions.

Police said Nester was operating a 1996 GMC Sierra truck southbound on U.S. 220 when he experienced mechanical problems, causing him to lose control of the vehicle.

He then traveled into the northbound lane and struck a 2004 Ford truck operated by Burns.

Upon impact, the Burns vehicle traveled over an embankment as the Nester vehicle continued southbound where it struck a Chrysler passenger vehicle operated by Elizabeth Hoffert.

U.S. 220 was closed for a time as result of the accident.

Police cited Nester for defective equipment and failure to maintain control.

Keyser EMS and Burlington and New Creek volunteer fire companies also responded.