Christian Basil Sones Obituary, Death – Authorities in Berkeley County are conducting an investigation into a serious incident that took place late Thursday night on Interstate 81 northbound, near the 8.5 mile marker. According to the Berkeley County Sheriff’s Office (BCSO), deputies were called to the area around 11:59 p.m. after receiving reports of a Chrysler Pacifica that had been traveling the wrong way in the northbound lanes before becoming involved in a crash. Callers also informed dispatchers that they had seen a man running along the highway shortly before the incident was reported.
Deputy Knotts was among the first to arrive at the scene. When deputies reached the location, they discovered an adult man in the rightmost northbound lane of the interstate who was unresponsive. Emergency medical personnel responded quickly but were unable to revive him. He was later identified as 25-year-old Christian Basil Sones, a Texas resident.
Authorities confirmed that the man had been struck by a passing tractor-trailer while on the roadway. The crash brought traffic to a halt in the area as deputies, emergency responders, and crash reconstruction specialists worked to secure the scene and gather information about the sequence of events.
The Sheriff’s Office reported that Deputy Milburn, a trained traffic crash reconstructionist, has been assigned to lead the investigation. His role involves piecing together the timeline of the incident, examining the condition of the vehicles involved, and reviewing witness accounts and physical evidence.
The unusual circumstances surrounding the incident — including reports of the Chrysler traveling the wrong way and the sighting of the man running along the interstate — remain central points in the ongoing inquiry. Investigators are working to determine why the vehicle was traveling in the wrong direction and what events may have led to the man being outside of the vehicle on the highway at that time of night.
Officials have not released further details about the crash itself or what may have caused the sequence of events that led up to it. They have also not provided information on whether anyone else was inside the Chrysler at the time or if any other vehicles were directly involved besides the tractor-trailer.
The Sheriff’s Office has urged anyone who may have been driving in the area at the time or who has information about the incident to contact their office at 304-267-7000. Investigators believe that accounts from passing motorists or individuals who noticed unusual activity on the interstate late Thursday evening could be valuable in helping clarify what happened.
As of Friday morning, no charges have been filed and no additional public statements have been made beyond confirmation of the man’s identity and the initial details of the investigation. Authorities noted that the process of reconstructing events in traffic-related cases can take time, as it requires careful examination of evidence and consultation with experts.
Community members have expressed concern following the incident, as wrong-way driving cases on major interstates are particularly dangerous and often result in severe outcomes. Law enforcement has said that driver safety and awareness remain top priorities, and they encourage all motorists to remain alert, especially during nighttime driving when visibility is reduced.
While many questions remain unanswered, officials reiterated their commitment to providing updates as soon as more verified information becomes available. For now, the focus remains on gathering facts, supporting those directly affected by the incident, and ensuring that the roadway remains safe for travelers.
The Berkeley County Sheriff’s Office emphasized that this remains an active investigation. They continue to encourage members of the public with relevant information to step forward and assist.
