Two die in Greene accident
A Waynesburg husband and wife were killed Sunday in an accident on Interstate 79 near Ruff Creek, Greene County. State police in Waynesburg identified the couple killed in the 8:30 p.m. crash as William R. Davis, 63, and Kathleen Davis, 58, both of whom were attorneys in Greene County.
Greene County Coroner Gregory P. Rohanna pronounced the couple dead at the scene at 9:25 p.m.
The couple operated Davis Law Offices LLC on High Street in Waynesburg, according to information from the state Supreme Court’s Web site. Kathleen Davis also was the president of the Greene County Bar Association in 2005 and 2006 and continued to work for the association.
William Davis was admitted to practice law in October 1969 and his wife was admitted to do so in October 1999.
One of the Kathleen Davis’ co-workers remembered the couple fondly Monday afternoon.
“I have known them for about 17 years,” Josephine Ketcham said. “They were good people. I am so shocked by this. Bill and Kathy were excellent people.”
Police said the accident occurred when a vehicle driven by Deborah Gordon, 24, of Leesburg, Va., “turned sharply to the right” in the southbound left lane of I-79 and hit the Davis’ pickup truck on the left side with her Chevrolet Cobalt.
“The momentum from the impact carried both (vehicles) to the right and through the roadside guide rail and over a steep roadside embankment,” trooper Duane Spangler stated in a release about the accident.
Spangler indicated that both vehicles overturned, but Gordon’s car landed on its wheels and the Davis’ pickup truck landed on its roof.
The accident occurred at 8:50 p.m., according to Rohanna.
Police said Gordon was flown to West Virginia University Hospital in Morgantown, W.Va., with unknown injuries.
Rohanna said autopsies are being performed and noted that the crash remains under investigation.
In addition to their work, both Kathleen and William Davis worked in various capacities at Waynesburg College.
According to college officials, Kathleen Davis worked at the school for two decades beginning in 1979 and held positions including vice president for academic affairs, chair for the department of education and professor of English and education.
William Davis served on the college board of trustees from 1973 to 1991.
“Waynesburg College was truly blessed to have William and Kathleen Davis serve us throughout the years,” college President Timothy R. Thyreen stated in a press release. “They touched many lives through their dedication to the college and their passion for education. They will be sincerely missed.”