Crash kills one, closes some lanes of I-77

Crews responded to a fatal rollover early Wednesday on Interstate 77 between Staunton Avenue and Seventh Street. A truck went over the embankment on northbound I-77. (Photo by Michael Erb)

Responders make their way down a hill and into a wooded area along the northbound lane of Interstate 77 between Staunton Avenue and Seventh Street. A truck went over an embankment and officials said there was at least one fatality. (Photo by Michael Erb)

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Crews responded to a fatal rollover early Wednesday on Interstate 77 between Staunton Avenue and Seventh Street. A truck went over the embankment on northbound I-77. (Photo by Michael Erb)

Responders make their way down a hill and into a wooded area along the northbound lane of Interstate 77 between Staunton Avenue and Seventh Street. A truck went over an embankment and officials said there was at least one fatality. (Photo by Michael Erb)

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PARKERSBURG -- A truck Wednesday went over an embankment on Interstate 77, killing one person and closing several northbound lanes as crews responded to the scene.

The crash occurred shortly after noon Wednesday, and two of three northbound lanes of the interstate between the Staunton Avenue and Seventh Street exits were closed by first responders.

It is unclear how the vehicle went off of the road and onto the embankment. The vehicle was found several feet away from the guardrail and surrounded by heavy underbrush and trees.

Wood County Sheriff Steve Stephens said few details were available on the crash which resulted in a single fatality. Stephens said a body was recovered Wednesday afternoon and the vehicle was recovered shortly before 2 p.m. Wednesday.

Stephens said additional information would not be released until investigators had a chance to contact the deceased person's family.

Michael Erb can be reached at merb@newsandsentinel.com.