Four Injured in Kanawha River Boating Accident, One Passenger Still in ICU

Kanawha County, WV – Four people were injured on Sunday night when a recreational boat crashed into a parked barge near Chelyan, West Virginia.

All four occupants of the recreational boat suffered trauma to the head and body, according to a Division of Natural Resources spokesperson.

Steven A. Garrison, 22, of Winfrede, WV, was driving the boat when it slammed into a barge parked by the Quincy Coal Dock. Metro 911 dispatchers in Kanawha County, West Virginia say the boat crash happened at the 73 mile marker along the Kanawha River close to Chesapeake. 

The cause of the boat crash is still unknown.  DNR officer Chuck Holloran is investigating. 

Dispatchers say one of the four injured was not responsive when emergency responders arrived on the scene.

Garrison was treated and released by CAMC.   Nicole M. Garrison, of Winfrede, and Mary F. Snodgrass, of Galleger, were passengers on the boat.  They were also treated and released by CAMC.

Blake E. Snodgrass, of Gallager, was the other passenger on the boat.  He remains in intensive care, according to a CAMC spokesperson. 

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