Lake Lane Crash Fatal for Braxton Woman

A Braxton County woman was fatally injured in a single vehicle accident in the early morning hours of Tuesday, April 5. According to Trooper C.D. Harper of the Sutton Detachment of the West Virginia State Police, Chrystal R. Burns, 39, of Heaters wrecked her 2007 Toyota 4-Runner in the Lake Lane area of northern Braxton County causing fatal injuries to herself and seriously injuring a passenger.
Trooper Harper was called to the scene early Tuesday morning when the passenger, who suffered serious injuries, managed to alert help.
According to reports, Burns picked up David W. Wimer of Gassaway at a residence in the Pickles Fork area of Heaters around 11:00 P.M. on April 4. The pair went riding in the rural countryside. According to Trooper Harper’s investigation, Burns was in a pasture field prior to climbing and embankment where the vehicle rolled several times coming to rest at the bottom of a steep embankment.
Burns was ejected from the wreckage and was later pronounced dead at the scene.
Wimer suffered severe trauma to his legs and feet. Wimer told Troopers he was not sure what time the accident occurred or how long he may have been unconscious. It took the injured man until about 7:00 a.m. to craw to the top of the hill to summon assistance.
Wimer was transported by HealthNet Air Ambulance to a northern West Virginia trauma center for treatment. No additional information regarding his condition was available at press-time.
The Flatwoods Community Fire Department, Braxton EMS and the Sutton Volunteer Fire Department all responded to the scene.
Burns’ body was sent to the West Virginia Medical Examines’ office for an autopsy. Trooper Harper’s investigation is continuing.