Traffic at a standstill after Wednesday’s fatal crash on the Silver Memorial Bridge.

slideshow

HENDERSON — The victim of Wednesday’s fatal crash on the Silver Memorial Bridge has been identified as Ashley Morris, 21, Mason.

According to the Mason County Sheriff’s Department, Morris was driving a 2000 Mercury Sable when she entered the northbound lane of U.S. 35 to get onto the Silver Memorial Bridge. At some point Morris made contact with a tractor trailer owned by Epes Transport of Greensboro, N.C. After this initial crash, Morris’ car then collided with another tractor trailer owned by Valley Systems of Chatfield, Minn. At this point, her car became pinned under the second tractor trailer.

Morris was pronounced dead at the scene. Also in the vehicle were Morris’ fiancé, Cass Vaughan, 21, Point Pleasant, and her mother, Carla Morris of Mason. Vaughan and Carla were not injured. The crash remains under investigation by the Mason County Sheriff’s Department.

Ashley Morris, a graduate of Hocking Technical College, was also the mother of two small children. Her obituary appears inside today’s edition of The Point Pleasant Register.

The accident caused the northbound lanes of the Silver Memorial Bridge to be closed for some time, causing traffic to gridlock near the bridge, particularly in Point Pleasant and along U.S. 35. In all, it took first responders about two hours to clear the scene.