By RON GREGORY
Staff Writer
MADISON - Tragedy struck the Chapmanville Regional High School athletic community Friday evening, July 2, when three members of the state Class AA championship softball team were injured in a hit-and-run traffic accident on Big Ugly Creek Road in Lincoln County, according to authorities.
Rising juniors Heather Nagy, Jenna Evans and Allison Evans, all 16, were riding in a 1997 Jeep Wrangler being driven by Nagy when the incident occurred, according to a report filed by Trooper G.H. Ellis of the Hamlin State Police Detachment. The incident occurred between 6 and 6:30 p.m., July 2, the report said.
According to the report, the three were traveling on a private road near the Big Ugly Road when the Hagy vehicle was truck by a red truck. The impact caused the Jeep to roll over, the report said. Witnesses said Jenna Evans was thrown from the vehicle, although that was not clear from the police report.
The driver of the red truck fled the scene in the vehicle, the report said.
All three athletes were transported to Logan General Hospital. Allison Evans, Jenna Evans' twin sister, and Nagy were released later Friday evening but Jenna Evans was transported to Charleston Area Medical Center's General Divi- sion, where she remained at press time.
A spokesperson at CAMC's General Divi- sions said Jenna Evans was in stable condition. The report said she suffered multiple injuries.
A family member said Jenna Evans had internal injuries, as well as a cut on her knee. Allison Evans was said to have a "cracked elbow."
Family members requested that prayers be offered for the girls, especially Jenna Evans.
Ellis said the incident is being classified as a hit-and-run and is under "active investigation." He said state police in the three-county area of Boone, Lincoln and Logan counties are looking for any red trucks with damage.
Anyone having any knowledge of such a vehicle or any information regarding the incident should contact Trooper Ellis at 304-824-3101.
CRHS Head Coach Ronnie Ooten called the girls "real star athletes" and said he and members of his coaching staff "join the community in offering our prayers for the family and friends of Jenna, Allison and Heather."
Ooten had noted during the most recent state championship run, which made CRHS back-to-back state champions, that Allison Evans "grew into her role as our main pitcher. You could watch her mature from inning to inning."
Over the weekend, Ooten said, "They are all good girls and I'm just so sorry to hear that this happened. I'm sure the other driver just ran them off the road and, from what I hear, Heather did everything she could to avoid an accident. There was just nothing she could do. I want everybody to keep them in their thoughts and prayers. They're good girls and they'll be back playing for us next year, I'm sure.