Crime & Safety

Three People Killed in I-77 Crash Believed to Be From Solon

Solon Patch has not been able to confirm whether this crash is the same one that killed Malaka Jones and her daughter, Maliyah

Three people who died Monday in a fiery crash on I-77 in West Virginia were driving a vehicle registered to a Solon resident, and investigators believe the people killed were from Solon.

Sgt. Brett Pickens with the Wood County Sheriff's Office told Solon Patch and other media outlets that they have yet to confirm the identities of the victims because of the extent of the damage. Pickens said they believe the victims are from Solon and that they are working with the families of those they believe are the victims to identify the remains.

Solon Patch cannot confirm at this time whether this crash is the one that of Malaka Jones and her daughter, Maliyah.

Find out what's happening in Solonwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

According to the Marietta Times, the victims were taken to the medical examiner's office, who will be tasked with confirming their identities. 

Pickens told Solon Patch that at about 8:13 p.m., a 1999 Saab containing three people was stopped within the driving lane on I-77 southbound just across the Ohio-West Virginia border. 

Find out what's happening in Solonwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

A tractor trailer noticed the vehicle in front of him – Pickens said the driver said the vehicle had no lights on – but was unable to avoid hitting it, Pickens said.

Pickens said the truck caught on fire, causing the car to catch on fire too.

Stay tuned to Solon Patch for updates.


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