Davis Creek, WV – Two Charleston residents were killed Tuesday morning following a single-vehicle crash on Kanawha State Forest Drive in Kanawha County, according to the Kanawha County Sheriff’s Office.
According to deputies, the crash happened around 9:30 a.m. Tuesday, May 13, 2026, near Davis Creek. Investigators said a pickup truck traveling along Kanawha State Forest Drive left the roadway and struck a tree before overturning and coming to rest on its top inside a creek bed.
The driver was identified by authorities as Matthew Cornell, 56, of Charleston. Deputies said the passenger, Tracey Cornell, 55, also of Charleston, was inside the vehicle at the time of the crash.
Both occupants were pronounced dead at the scene, according to the sheriff’s office.
Officials said the crash remains under active investigation as deputies continue working to determine the circumstances that caused the vehicle to leave the roadway.
The Kanawha County Sheriff’s Office also used the incident to remind drivers and passengers about the importance of wearing seatbelts whenever operating or riding in a moving vehicle.
Kanawha State Forest Drive is a heavily traveled route connecting portions of Charleston and recreational areas within Kanawha State Forest. No additional details about road conditions or contributing factors were immediately released.
Authorities have not announced whether speed, impairment, or weather conditions may have played a role in the crash.
