CHARLESTON, W.Va. — A deadly crash at the I-77/I-64 split in Charleston has renewed scrutiny of a section of elevated interstate where five vehicles have gone over the side since 2020, prompting questions about what additional safety measures may be needed and how much those improvements could cost.
The most recent crash happened just before 10:30 p.m. Friday, Aug. 22, at the I-77/I-64 split. Charleston Police said a vehicle left the elevated interstate and fell into a lot in the 1100 block of Pennsylvania Avenue.
Four Raleigh County young men were killed: James McDaniel, 20; Colten Garcia, 20; Kaden Ashby, 21; and Kaiden Radford, 21. All four were pronounced dead at the scene.
According to Charleston Police, the crash was the fifth tragic incident since 2020 involving a vehicle going over the side of the interstate at that location.
Previous incidents include a May 2020 crash that left one person with an incapacitating injury; a November 2022 crash that injured two people and killed two dogs; a May 2025 crash that killed two people and seriously injured two others; and a July 2026 crash that left one person with an incapacitating injury.
West Virginia Transportation Secretary Stephen Rumbaugh said state highway officials were already developing a project before the latest crashes to install high-friction surface treatment on several elevated portions of the interstate.
The treatment is intended to improve roadway traction, and transportation officials anticipate installation later this fall.
The West Virginia Department of Transportation also plans to coordinate with Charleston Police to continue reviewing crashes in the area and determine whether additional safety measures should be considered once investigations are completed.
However, the information released so far does not specify how much the high-friction surface treatment project will cost, how much additional countermeasures could cost, or whether any further construction has been funded.
That leaves an important question unanswered as the number of serious crashes continues to grow: what level of investment will ultimately be necessary before additional physical changes are made to the interchange?
Transportation officials maintain that the roadway currently meets safety standards.
West Virginia Transportation Executive Director of Communications Brent Walker said the stretch is considered safe and emphasized that motorists should reduce speed, avoid distractions and remain alert while traveling through the interchange.
Officials have also addressed calls to increase the height or length of concrete barriers along the elevated roadway. Walker said raising barriers could create other safety concerns by potentially redirecting a vehicle back into moving traffic and increasing the risk of a multi-vehicle crash.
Charleston Police Sgt. Travis Bailes similarly said the interchange is considered safe for drivers and noted that previous crashes in the area have involved contributing factors such as speed, distraction or impairment.
The circumstances surrounding Friday’s fatal crash remain under investigation.
For now, the state has committed to the high-friction surface treatment project and continued monitoring of the interchange. Whether additional structural changes will follow — and what those changes would cost — has not yet been determined based on the information released publicly.
