Repeat DUI offender charged in fatal crash

Brian John Stone, 32, of Gans, Pa., was jailed on five counts of driving under the influence causing death and one count of third or subsequent offense DUI, a spokeswoman for Monongalia County Magistrate Court said Monday. His bond was set at $1.35 million.

Seven other people were taken to local hospitals after the 10:20 p.m. Sunday three-car accident near the Pierpont Road exit, sheriff’s deputies said.

Chief Deputy Al Kisner said Stone’s eastbound 2007 Ford F-150 rear-ended a 2001 Ford Taurus, knocking it across the median, where it collided head on with a westbound 2005 Chevy Trailblazer. The posted speed limit is 70 mph, he said.

The names of both the injured and the dead were being withheld pending notification of next of kin.

Kisner said one adult and two children inside the Trailblazer died. Four others were hospitalized.

One adult and one child inside the Taurus died; two others were hospitalized.

Three of the injured were listed in critical condition Monday afternoon, Kisner said. He was uncertain about the conditions of the other four.

Stone “was the only one who was totally uninjured,” he said.

Kisner said police found Stone outside his truck in the woods after the accident.

“Nobody said he was trying to hide,” he said.

Stone, who was being held at the North Central Regional Jail in Doddridge County, faces a July 18 hearing in magistrate court on the six felony charges.

The Pittsburgh Post Gazette reported Monday that Stone was awaiting trial for DUI in Fayette County, Pa., where he maintains a mailing address, following a March arrest. Smith lived for about three years in Allegheny County, Pa.