The Median Crossed: A Chain of Tragedy on I-70

The I-70 freeway in Washington County, Pennsylvania, was the scene of a catastrophic head-on collision on Friday evening, November 7, 2025, that claimed two lives and sent shockwaves across the community. Donna Havens, 59, of Wheeling, WV, was tragically killed, as was William Magers, 69, of Glen Dale, WV. The deadly sequence began when the Hyundai sedan driven by Havens reportedly crossed the narrow grass median, slamming directly into the westbound Ford SUV driven by Magers. This shocking act of highway violence instantly erased two lives and highlights the inherent dangers of medians without concrete barriers on busy stretches of interstate.

Two Lives Erased: Miracles and Massive Grief

The sheer, devastating force of the impact killed both Donna Havens and William Magers instantly, leaving two families grappling with an immense, sudden, and violent loss. The tragedy is compounded by the fate of the other occupants of the Ford SUV: a passenger sustained serious injuries and was rushed to the hospital, while a young child in the SUV miraculously escaped the wreckage unhurt. The grief for the Magers family is immeasurable, now shadowed by the simultaneous terror of the crash and the urgent need for the injured passenger’s recovery. The community mourns the two lives lost and prays for the healing of the injured and the well-being of the young child caught in this unthinkable highway trauma.

An Anchor in Vigilance: The Call for Safer Roads

The Pennsylvania State Police are conducting an intensive investigation, focusing on factors like speed, weather, and a prior report of a vehicle driving erratically in the eastbound lanes, attempting to determine if it was the same Hyundai involved in the fatal crash. This investigation, assisted by reconstruction specialists, seeks to bring clarity and accountability. Furthermore, this tragic incident adds to the growing calls for safety improvements on this dangerous stretch of I-70, particularly regarding the use of grass medians. May the pursuit of justice bring a measure of peace to the grieving families of Donna Havens and William Magers, and may their shocking loss prompt immediate action toward safer road designs.