Three city residents confirmed as victims in Interstate 68 crash

Donnell Perry, 52, and his daughters, Jentil Perry, 15, and Jacquesha Perry, 13, all of Clarksburg, were killed.

Courtney Evans, 30, and Sawyer Evans, 12, of Maryland, also were killed in the crash. Passengers Sheena Evans, 29, and John B. Evans, 3, are still hospitalized, according to the Monongalia County Sheriff’s Department.

Perry’s wife, Marcia, his daughter, Justine, 18, and his grandchildren, Cory Perry, 10, Aynna Perry, 8, and Mia Barnes, 18 months, were injured.

Marcia was still hospitalized Wednesday and listed in critical condition. Justine and Cory also remained hospitalized, while Aynna and Mia Barnes have been released, according to the sheriff’s department.

Jeff Towell, a colleague of Perry and supply chain manager at Pratt & Whitney Engine Services Inc. in Bridgeport, described Perry as very family-oriented and hard working.

“He always had a positive attitude and was the first to say ‘good morning’ every morning and ‘goodbye’ in the evening,” Towell said. “This has been pretty devastating. Everyone is handling it the best they can, but it has taken its toll and is always on people’s minds.”

Perry had been with Pratt & Whitney for around 25 years in Middletown, Conn., and was transferred to the Bridgeport office in 2005, Towell said.

Perry’s sister, Brenda Mabine, told The Hartford Courant that her brother and three of eight children moved to Clarksburg upon the transfer. Marcia and the other children remained in Middletown, where Marcia was employed at Connecticut Valley Hospital. The two took turns visiting on weekends, Mabine told the Courant.

Marcia retired from her job as food services supervisor in forensics at the hospital two weeks ago, according to Wayne Dailey, spokesman for the Department of Mental Health and Addiction.

She had recently begun moving items into their home in Clarksburg, Mabine told the Connecticut newspaper.

Marcia’s colleagues at the hospital were sad to see her retire but were happy for her future, making hearing of the wreck doubly painful for everyone, Dailey said.

“She worked there for many years and was very well-liked by staff and patients. She was good-natured, and everyone is extremely saddened to hear of her injury and loss of family members. The hospital community has been deeply affected,” he said.

Hospital staff remember Marcia as someone who was very outgoing, with a great sense of humor and who was well-liked by everyone, Dailey said.

“We’re praying for her quick recovery and would like to express our condolences for the loss she has experienced,” Dailey said.

Dennis Zahradnik, principal of Liberty High School, confirmed that two of the Perry children killed in the crash would have been students at the school this fall. Jacquesha “Kiki” Perry, a former student at Gore Middle School, would have been a freshman, and Jentil Perry was to enter the 10th grade.

Another daughter, Justine, is suffering from a dislocated hip and has a brace on her leg and neck, according to Debra Spears, a Liberty teacher who is communicating with the family. Justine will be a junior at Liberty High School, Zahradnik said.

“The school and community are extremely upset,” Zahradnik said with emotion. “It has taken us all by surprise.”

Spears had Justine in homeroom and in dance class and had Jentil in physical education and dance.

“Kiki was planning on going out for volleyball,” Spears said.

The family has kept a vigil at Ruby Memorial Hospital, hoping for Marcia’s recovery.

“She isn’t doing very well. (Justine and three grandchildren) are doing OK,” Spears said. “They are really worried about the mother.”

Spears said the family is still in shock and members haven’t conveyed any requests to her. They have no keys for the house because they were lost in the wreck and have been staying in a hotel.

The Perry family did tell Spears they were interested in a memorial service, if offered.

Assistant Principal Pamela Knight is working with a parent on a memorial service. It is planned for 3 p.m. Sunday at Reynoldsville Baptist Church.

“This is just one example of how students and parents come together in times of crisis or need. I’m glad the kids thought of doing this. It shows a lot of maturity on their part,” Knight said.

The family was returning to Clarksburg on Sunday after spending the Fourth of July in Middletown with family and attending a baseball game in New York on Friday, Mabine told the Courant.

The three-vehicle accident occurred about 10:30 p.m. just after the Pierpont Road exit on I-68 east. Police say Brian J. Stone, 32, of Gans, Pa., had been drinking when he drove his pickup truck into the rear of a Ford Taurus. The Taurus then lost control, crossed the median and struck a Chevy Trailblazer head on, the sheriff’s department reported.

Stone was arrested and charged with five counts of DUI causing death and one count of DUI 3rd or subsequent offense. He is now being held at the North Central Regional Jail in Doddridge County. Bond is set at $1,350 million dollars, the Monongalia County Sheriff’s Department reported.