Fatal Incident Involving Downed Power Lines on Rutledge Road

Fatal Incident Involving Downed Power Lines on Rutledge Road

KANAWHA COUNTY, WV – On Tuesday, August 11, 2026, at approximately 7:58 p.m., Kanawha County Sheriff’s deputies responded to the area of 2452 Rutledge Road regarding a motorcycle and downed power lines.

According to a witness, a man and woman were traveling on a motorcycle along Rutledge Road when they encountered a tree that had fallen across the roadway. The female passenger got off the motorcycle while the driver attempted to turn the motorcycle around.

As he was turning the motorcycle around, power lines fell onto the motorcycle and the driver, causing both to fall to the ground. The female passenger attempted to assist but was unable to do so after being shocked by the power lines.

The power lines then started a fire, igniting fuel from the motorcycle. The male driver died as a result of the incident. The female passenger was transported by EMS to CAMC Memorial Hospital for treatment.

The incident remains under investigation.