Published: December 09, 2007 11:45 pm      

Fairmont woman killed in accident

Police believe high rate of speed was factor

FAIRMONT — A Fairmont woman was killed in a late-night motor-vehicle crash in Morgantown Friday.

Shannon Bower, 32, was pronounced dead at the scene by Morgantown police officers, according to a release by the department. Bower had been ejected from the vehicle. Another Fairmont resident, 42-year-old Gregory Hunter was trapped in the vehicle when officers arrived on the scene. Hunter is not the Greg Hunter who is associated with the Blue and Gold News.

Morgantown firefighters extracted Hunter from the vehicle. He was then transported to Ruby Memorial Hospital by the Monongalia County Emergency Squad, where he was placed in intensive care, according to the report. However, he is no longer listed as a patient at Ruby Memorial, said Amy Johns, hospital spokesperson.

The crash occurred at approximately 11:20 p.m. on South University Ave. near the Cobun Creek Bridge. The preliminary investigation leads police to believe the 1998 Pontiac Sunfire registered to Bower, was traveling south at a high rate of speed when the driver lost control, according to the release by police.

The vehicle then struck the bridge abutment, coming to a stop in the middle of the southbound lanes. The report did not state who was driving the automobile. The crash is still under investigation.

Bower was a graduate of East Fairmont High School. She was employed at Ruby Memorial Hospital as a certified nursing assistant.

Morgantown police officers are asking that anyone with information concerning the crash contact the department at 304-284-7522.

E-mail Paul Fallon at pfallon@timeswv.com.