2 Students Killed in Princeton Bus Accident
The three-vehicle collision involving a Bluefield Area Transit bus closed Courthouse Road for several hours
Two Princeton High School students were killed in a three-vehicle crash involving a commercial transit bus on Courthouse Road, according to the State Police.
The northbound Bluefield Area Transit bus collided with two other vehicles near the Route 460 intersection at approximately 7:35 a.m. Emergency crews closed the road between Sheetz and the highway for several hours while investigators processed the wreckage.
Both victims died at the scene.
Authorities have not released the names of the students, pending family notification. Mercer County Schools confirmed the victims previously attended Bluefield High School before transferring to Princeton.
The district dispatched crisis response teams and counselors to both campuses.
State Police troopers continue to investigate the sequence of events that led to the collision. No charges have been announced.
What factors contribute to multi-vehicle transit crashes on Courthouse Road?
Candice Bond, managing partner at Bond Legal, who is also a national legal analyst for Accident News, said, "Fatal crashes often happen when speeding, distraction, or impaired driving mixes with bad weather, poor lighting, or mechanical problems. These combined dangers make roads especially unsafe and increase the chance of deadly outcomes."
How do commercial vehicle regulations impact the Princeton investigation?
"We understand just what families are forced to go through, and having their rights protected is vital. A wrongful death lawyer will stay updated on the official investigation and help protect their legal rights and best interests," noted Stefano Formica, who serves as a national legal analyst for Accident News and is of counsel at Bond Legal.
West Virginia wrongful death statute
Under W. Va. Code § 55-7-5, surviving family members may file a wrongful death action. West Virginia applies modified comparative fault (50% bar). The statute of limitations is 2 years.
Recoverable damages may include loss of financial support, loss of companionship, funeral expenses, and the decedent's pre-death pain and suffering.