Victims of fatal I-77 crash identified

CAMP CREEK, W.Va. — The names of two people killed in a crash involving a tractor-trailer along I-77 Thursday in Mercer County were released on Monday.

West Virginia State Police identified the victims as Brooke Elizabeth Helmandollar, 25, of Princeton, and James Jackson Thompson III, 36, also of Princeton.

According to investigators, the driver of the rig was travelling northbound, lost control, crossed the median, entered the southbound lanes and collided with an on-coming vehicle near Camp Creek at mile marker 21.

Helmandollar and Thompson, who were inside the vehicle, died at the scene. A third occupant, who was not identified, remained in critical condition at Raleigh General Hospital in Beckley, according to a press release from the West Virginia State Police. The driver of the tractor-trailer was not injured.

Funeral services for Helmandollar will be held on Tuesday, October 16th, at the Cravens-Shires Funeral Home Chapel in Bluewell. Funeral services for Thompson will be held on Wednesday, October 17, at Memorial Funeral Directory in Princeton.

No criminal charges were filed, pending the completion of an investigation.