Units responding from Frankford included Engine 120-01, Quick Attack 120-04, Brush 120-05, and Command 120-06. Due to the severity of the entrapments, mutual aid was requested from Lewisburg Fire Department, Company 20, to assist with extrication efforts. Firefighters from both departments worked quickly and efficiently, successfully extricating all individuals from the wreckage within 25 minutes of arrival.
Emergency medical personnel from Fairlea, Alderson, and White Sulphur Springs EMS provided on-site triage and transportation of patients to nearby hospitals. Law enforcement officers from the Greenbrier County Sheriff's Department and the West Virginia State Police were also on scene, assisting with traffic control and securing the area.
All emergency units cleared the scene by approximately 3:10 a.m. on April 17. U.S. 219 has since been reopened to normal traffic.
However, as responders were actively working the initial crash, a secondary and highly dangerous incident occurred.
Frankford Fire reported that a potentially intoxicated driver barreled through the crash site, bypassing six emergency vehicles with lights activated—including three police cruisers, two fire trucks, and a rollback tow truck—before crashing into the original accident scene. The individual’s reckless actions nearly resulted in multiple first responder injuries or fatalities.
Quick response and defensive actions by firefighters and law enforcement prevented what could have been a catastrophic loss of life. The driver was immediately taken into custody at the scene and transported to Southern Regional Jail.
“We normally don’t make posts like this, but with what occurred, we are sharing it with the public,” Frankford Volunteer Fire Department stated on social media. “This intoxicated individual came within inches and seconds of catastrophically changing multiple first responders' lives.”
The department urged the public to take driving under the influence seriously. “If you need a drink, DON’T DRIVE. DO NOT be like this reckless individual because you will receive some shiny silver bracelets and an all-inclusive paid vacation at a secure state facility,” they added.
Frankford VFD extended their thanks to all responding agencies and asked the community to keep those involved in their thoughts and prayers.
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