Child Dies After Being Ejected in Two-Vehicle Crash on Lens Creek Road, Deputies Say

HERNSHAW, W.Va., Dec. 3, 2025 — An 8-year-old child has died following a two-vehicle crash on Lens Creek Road Tuesday afternoon, according to the KANAWHA COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE. Deputies say the collision occurred around 4:53 p.m. when an SUV and a utility truck struck head-on, resulting in significant damage to both vehicles.

The KANAWHA COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE reports that the child was ejected from the SUV during the impact. A passerby stopped and performed CPR before first responders arrived, but despite immediate aid and continued emergency medical efforts, the child was pronounced dead shortly afterward. The driver of the utility truck was transported to a hospital for evaluation.

Investigators confirmed that the utility truck overturned onto its side during the collision, while the SUV came to rest in a roadside ditch. Lens Creek Road remained closed for roughly five hours as deputies documented the scene, conducted measurements, and worked with emergency crews to clear the area. The road later reopened Tuesday night.

The crash is under full investigation by the KANAWHA COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE ACCIDENT RECONSTRUCTION UNIT, which is analyzing roadway evidence, vehicle trajectories, physical damage, and witness statements. Once the reconstruction is complete, the findings will be forwarded to the KANAWHA COUNTY PROSECUTOR’S OFFICE for review. No information has been released regarding contributing factors such as speed, restraint use, impairment, or mechanical issues, and no charging decisions have been announced.

Though investigators have not identified a cause, the severity of the crash underscores how dangerous head-on collisions can be on rural routes like Lens Creek Road, where curves, narrow lanes, and low visibility can leave little margin for error. Safety officials consistently warn that ejection dramatically reduces survivability in serious collisions, a reality reflected in the tragedy that unfolded Tuesday afternoon.

Updates will be released by the KANAWHA COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE as verified information becomes available and the investigative process continues.

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Primary First-Hand Sources

• KANAWHA COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE
• KANAWHA COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE ACCIDENT RECONSTRUCTION UNIT
• KANAWHA COUNTY PROSECUTOR’S OFFICE