Route 8 accident claims the lives of 3 teens

HANCOCK COUNTY, Wv. — An accident on Route 8 claimed the lives of three local teens around 9 p.m. Saturday, according to police.

Police said a New Manchester Volunteer Fire Department vehicle was responding to a possible chimney fire and traveling north on Route 8 near the entrances to Tomlinson Run State Park when it collided with a passenger vehicle traveling south.

Hancock County Sheriff Ralph A. Fletcher said witnesses stated the passenger vehicle pulled into the northbound lane in an attempt to pass another southbound vehicle.

“Evidence on the roadway, in conjunction with the witness statements, indicates the passenger vehicle unsuccessfully attempted to pull back into the southbound lane,” Fletcher said.

Route 8 was closed for several hours during the investigation, according to police.

Department officials said the passenger vehicle was operated by Krystyn Butcher, 16, of Newell. The passengers were identified as Kaylin Blake Rice, 16, of Chester, and John Emmett Snow III, 16, of New Cumberland.

Fletcher said Butcher and Rice were pronounced dead at the scene while Snow succumbed to his injuries at the East Liverpool City Hospital, where he had been transported.

Three members of the New Manchester Volunteer Fire department were transported to the East Liverpool City Hospital, treated for their injuries and released, said police.

Police are still investigating the accident.

WPXI