East Pea Ridge residents recall moments after crash on I-64

CABELL COUNTY, W.Va. (WSAZ) – A crash on Interstate 64 in the early hours of Thursday morning prompted multiple calls to Cabell County Emergency Services. Nazim Abbess, director of that center, said many callers were unsure of what they saw and heard.

“Many East Pea Ridge residents thought a house had exploded or a car had exploded. We just heard numerous explosion sounds,” Abbess said.

Several residents in surrounding neighborhoods were awakened by the initial sound of the impact but had no idea what was happening.

“I didn't know if it was a bomb or if a plane had crashed because even the windows were shaking. I was just laying there and I kept hearing these pops and cracks,” Betty Burger said.

“I thought someone was trying to break into our privacy gate. We sleep with fans on, multiple ceiling fans on and it was extremely loud,” said Harold Martin.

Many left their homes to see what was happening outside, where smoke and flames obscured the night sky.

“We have a good view of the highway and traffic was stagnant or there was no traffic at all. So I knew something had happened on I-64 at that point,” Martin said.

“In all the years I’ve lived here, there have been a lot of accidents out there. But nothing comparable. I won’t forget that because it was very scary,” Burger said.

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