The crash site was between the eastbound I-64 Hurricane Rest Area and Mile Marker 34 at the Hurricane interchange.

A 20-mile stolen vehicle chase which began on Trace Creek (north of Hurricane), proceeded to Johns Creek, then to Milton and onto I-64, ended just east of the Hurricane interchange in a fiery crash which took the life of Kanawha County resident Angela Born.

At 2:37 p.m. on Thursday, March 5, Hurricane Creek resident Linda Fitzwater reported to Putnam County law enforcement that her grandson Joseph Elswick had stolen her red 2025 Jeep Cherokee Sport and her purse and was possibly headed to Poindexter Creek. Putnam County Deputy Sheriff C. Ford responded to the call and located Elswick and the stolen vehicle on Trace Creek at 2:48 p.m. Elswick chose to flee. Ford followed and advised the Hurricane Police Department when Elswick headed toward Hurricane on I-64.

The Hurricane PD attempted to end the flight which reached speeds of close to 120 MPH at one point by initiating spike strips in Elswick’s path at the interchange. Elswick continued to flee with flattened tires and rear-ended Born’s vehicle resulting in fatal injuries. Officers managed to remove the victim from her vehicle as it burst into flames.

Elswick, 22, of Hurricane, was known to law enforcement for drug charges and DUI arrests. Elswick was taken to CAMC Teays Valley for treatment. He faces numerous charges, including vehicular homicide.

The crash caused the eastbound lanes of I-64 to be completely shutdown for six hours. Detour traffic on Teays Valley Road between the Teays Valley and Hurricane I-64 exits was at a standstill for hours.