Beyond the Cone

Summers County WV NewsSummers County NewsWest Virginia State Police This young man pictured with his family(i covered their faces, and crossed out the names, we are not about doxxing or anything of that nature), was in a horrible accident while doing his job near Pipestem on January 14, 2025. It clearly states in the report that the driver KNEW AND SAW road work signs, and that the sun blinded him when he approached the flagger and didnt see him. Also in the report it says, the driver NEVER SLOWED DOWN after seeing those initial signs. We all at one time or another has had that winter sun burning out our eyeballs. And yes accidents happen. The problem, that we see more and more is the fact that this particular driver never tried to slow down at all in this work zone, and he wasnt cited or fined for his reckless behavior. Mister Reed a young father and husband trying to earn a living was hit so hard that he was launched in the air!! At his young age, he will forever be disabled because of the damage done by one driver who thought they can do what the want, and get away with it. Do we believe that this particular driver should be criminally charged? Of course not, as stated above accidents happen. BUT! There is a real chance that if that car had slowed down when instructed, Clayton Reed wouldnt be fighting for his families survival or having to deal with the fact he can never move around again like he use to. Beyond the Cone we are trying to change regulations and laws that protect our roadside workers. Flaggers, tow truck drivers, tree cutters, ect… One of our other focuses is to get counties from the police to the prosecutor to talk to these families like Mr. Reed and our own. Its so hard to deal either an injury to a relative or death ,let alone not have answers or explanations. Clayton has gotten no communication whatsoever from summers county, and thats all he is asking for. Beyond the cone is not a legal based organization, we are a family based one trying to protect other WV families who have been horribly effected by other peoples actions while doing their job!

As you all know the person who took our mothers life was not even given a slap on the wrist, but we were given a slap in the face. $100 fine and called our mother a traffic control device. Our law enforcement that we deeply appreciate needs to understand, you are letting us down.

They arent just dummies, they are someones family!!

900 lives are lost in work zone crashes in a single year.

These are preventable tragedies, and drivers have the power to change that number.

Today marks the start of National Work Zone Awareness Week. Slow down, stay alert, and protect the people behind the cones.

Late update: HB 4551 WV Safe Trucking Act is dead in the house.
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SB499 has passed its votes and is now awaiting the Governor’s signature!! What does this mean?

West Virginia lawmakers have passed a bill that would require toxicology tests after any fatal vehicle crash in the state. The change adds a new requirement to §17C-4-1 of state law, often referred to as Erin’s Law, stating that if someone dies in a crash, toxicology testing of the drivers involved must be done as soon as possible. The goal is straightforward. When a life is lost, investigators should know whether drugs or alcohol were factors.

For many people in our area, the conversation around this kind of law brings back the death of Robin Massey, who was struck and killed while riding her horse. That case went through the courts, and the driver was ultimately charged with a misdemeanor for driving on a suspended license. Even though the legal process played out, many folks in the community have long felt there were still questions about the investigation.

This bill is not about revisiting that case. But laws like this can help make sure that in future crashes, investigators collect every piece of evidence possible right away so families are not left wondering what might have been missed.

The bill has passed the Legislature and is now awaiting the governor’s signature.

📸 Protest Photo - WVNS