Rachel Dove-Baldwin

Staff Writer

SHEPPARDSTOWN — A head-on collision that stemmed from a driver traveling on the wrong side of U.S. 119 near the Lower Sheppardstown exit claimed the life of a Phelps, Ky. resident and injured a Logan man well known for his political career.

According to information provided by Mingo County Sheriff’s Department Lt. Joey Ferris, the investigating officer, he was dispatched to the scene at approximately 6:45 p.m. Upon his arrival, he observed a white Ford Mustang that looked to have been traveling southbound in the northbound lane, and had collided with a 2011 Ford F-350 truck operated by Alvis Porter of Logan, who served as the Circuit Clerk there for many years.

Eye witnesses told the officer that Joshua Smith, 32, of Phelps, had crossed the median and had been driving on the wrong side of the four-lane for at least one mile before colliding with Porter. Smith was transported by ambulance to the Williamson Memorial Hospital where he was pronounced dead by Mingo County Medical Examiner Mike Casey. Porter was transported to the Logan Regional Medical Center and was treated for injuries he sustained in the accident. Details of his condition have not been released.

Ferris told the Daily News that a toxicology screen will be performed on the deceased and further information will be released to the media as it becomes available. The Lenore Volunteer Fire Department responded to the scene and assisted with extricating the injured from the wreckage, scene clean-up and traffic control. STAT Ambulance and Mingo County Emergency Services Medic 1 transported Smith and Porter to the local hospitals.