By Stephen Smoot
West Virginia Secretary of State Kris Warner had a slate of activities scheduled for last Friday, but could only attend one. As he traveled in his vehicle on U.S. Route 33 and turned to go up North Mountain at Judy Gap, Warner lost control of his vehicle and flipped it on its side.
The accident triggered an SOS from his cell phone that went to one of the staff in his Charleston office, Jarrod Summers. Summers then coordinated with Pendleton 911 dispatcher Terry Ryan to locate Warner. Meanwhile, as Warner described on Facebook, Chris Kimble stopped and also called Pendleton 911 to send help.
Warner added that “my faith was renewed by the fact not one vehicle passed by without stopping to make sure I was okay and those that stopped would not leave me by myself until emergency responders arrived to make sure I was okay!”
He thanked “Sam Heinzman and his friend who interrupted their fishing trip to make sure I was okay.” Appreciation also went to “the dynamic duo” of emergency responders, Amberley and Stacie Bennett, “who checked my vitals in the back of the ambulance alongside Rt 33 at Judy Gap.” Jimmie Bennett, county commissioner, also stopped to check on Warner and assist, if needed.
“I apologize I do not remember all of those that stopped to help,” he posted, but invited any who did to message him on Facebook so he could thank them personally.
Thanks also went to Delmas Bennett “for clearing debris and picking up personal items at the crash site, Isaac Bennett “for your help loading the Suburban on the rollback,” and Tiffany Warner. He said of Tiffany Warner, “Sorry I didn’t get to meet you in person, but I understand you directed traffic on the upper side of the accident.
Warner noted the “professionalism” of West Virginia State Trooper Kevin Raymond and also Brett Raines and Josh Dempsey, Pendleton County sheriff deputies.
“Lastly, thank you to towing company owner Carl Warner, no relation out of Circleville, for towing the Suburban and for completely cleaning out and bagging up personal belongings while I was at my speaking engagement, Warner stated.”
