Eight Deaths Prompt Charleston Interstate Speed Change
Vehicles going over elevated barriers near the I-64, I-77 split have caused eight deaths since May, and the speed limit there is now 50 mph.
Updated on Nov. 4, 2026 in Law Enforcement
Eight people have died since May after vehicles went over elevated interstate barriers near the I-64, I-77 split in Charleston, and accidents in the area have increased sharply. The West Virginia Department of Transportation has lowered the speed limit in the area to 50 mph ahead of bridge work.
Why it matters
The deaths and rising crash count have drawn attention to driver behavior and barrier safety on a major Charleston interstate junction. Lowering the speed limit before bridge work begins is intended to reduce risk for drivers in the area.
Police have issued roughly 17,000 to 20,000 traffic citations on the city interstate since 2020, and a driver now faces DUI-related charges after rear-ending a police vehicle conducting speed enforcement. Whether the crash deaths will lead to additional charges or policy changes beyond the speed reduction is not yet reported.
The players
West Virginia Department of Transportation
The state agency responsible for roads and bridges in West Virginia, which lowered the speed limit and plans the barrier and curve safety upgrades.
The details
In every crash so far except the most recent, a driver-side contributing factor has been identified. WVDOT says its barrier walls meet Federal Highway Administration height requirements, and chevron markers and high friction surface treatment will be added to the curve.
Timeline
Since 2020: Police began issuing traffic citations on the city interstate.
May 2026: The first of eight barrier-crash deaths near the I-64, I-77 split occurred.
Earlier this year: A Raleigh County young man died in an accident near the split.
Last week: A police vehicle was struck by a DUI-charged driver during speed enforcement.
Legal Context
The West Virginia barrier walls meet Federal Highway Administration height requirements, so the crashes raise questions about whether meeting that federal standard is enough at this curve. Enforcement data showing 17,000 to 20,000 citations since 2020 places the speed-related risk within a long pattern of traffic policing on this interstate.
Drivers using the I-64, I-77 split in Charleston will face a 50 mph speed limit during bridge work. Chevron markers and high friction surface treatment will be added to the curve to help drivers slow and navigate it.
The takeaway
Drivers passing through the I-64, I-77 split should slow to the posted 50 mph limit and watch for the new chevron markers on the curve. The crashes so far have mostly involved driver factors, so attentive driving matters as much as barrier upgrades.
Further reading
For more on how officers respond to crashes like these, see Law Enforcement coverage.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Parthenon.
