VICTIMS IDENTIFIED IN FATAL I-79 CRASH

(12/16/2006)
Police say alcohol may have been a factor in the deaths of five people after two trucks collided and burst into flames on I-79 near the Servia interchange in Braxton County. One truck was traveling the wrong-way.

All the passengers died on impact, including two children, both described as seven years old, a boy and a girl.

State Police said a 1999 GMC pickup truck was traveling the wrong way in the southbound lane of the interstate near the Servia exit. The truck struck a 1992 Chevrolet S-10.

The fiery crash happened about 5:30 p.m. Friday.

State Police say Jeremy Shamblin, 32, of Clendenin, and his twins Haylee and Cody, age seven, died when a pick-up truck driven by Paul George of Charleston hit them head-on.

Police said the George vehicle was going the wrong way on I-79.

A family friend told state media that Jeremy Shamblin had just picked the children up to go to see a live nativity scene in Nitro.

Shamblin leaves behind his wife, Whitney, and their three other children.

Police have not released the name of the passenger in the Paul George truck.

The bodies have been taken to the State Medical Examiners office.