Seven hospitalized in W.Va. 340 wreck

August 21, 2000

Seven hospitalized in W.Va. 340 wreck

By BOB PARTLOW / Staff Writer, Martinsburg

MARTINSBURG, W.Va. - Seven people were taken to the hospital and one person charged with driving under the influence of alcohol following a four-car accident that snarled traffic for two hours at Cliffside on State Route 340 near Harper's Ferry about 8:50 p.m. Saturday.

Arrested at 11:23 p.m. was Jean Ann Rellins, 39, Falls Church, Va., said Jefferson County Sheriff's Deputy Desiree Palmer. Rellins was driving her Ford Explorer northbound in the southbound lanes, Palmer said. She and four others were taken to Jefferson Memorial Hospital, but Rellins was not there late Sunday.

An official at the Eastern Regional Jail said Rellins was released by a court from custody Sunday morning, but could provide no other details.

Palmer said Rellins' car collided head-on with a Lincoln Town Car driven by Martin Ferguson, Jr., 44, Stephens City, Va. Ferguson's car was then hit by the Ford van behind him, driven by Jeffrey Smith. Palmer said she did not have an age or address available for Smith.

The fourth vehicle was driven by William McGrew, 25, Sykesville, Md. McGrew swerved to avoid the accident and his car came to a stop in the median, Palmer said.

Martin Ferguson, Jr. and Carol Ferguson, 65, Stephens City, Va., were flown by helicopter to Inova Fairfax Hospital. Carol Ferguson was reported in serious condition Sunday evening by a hospital spokeswoman. Martin Ferguson, Jr. was reported in stable condition.

Martin Ferguson, Sr., 65, address unknown, was taken by ambulance to Jefferson Memorial Hospital. He was reported in stable condition Sunday evening. Smith, McGrew and Shawn Hickey, 25, Sykesville, Md. were taken to Jefferson Memorial Hospital but had been released by Sunday night.

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