A one-car accident in New Martinsville took the life of a Paden City woman Thursday.

Melissa Jane Wildman, 49, was killed shortly before 1 a.m. Nov. 12 when her vehicle, that was travelling south on state Route 2, went left of center, across the north-bound lane, and crashed into a large pine tree. The incident happened south of Valley Tire near the “lift station”.

The female victim was removed from the wreckage of her vehicle by fire fighters using hydraulic rescue tools (often referred to as the “Jaws of Life”), said Larry W. Couch, New Martinsville Volunteer Fire Department chief.

The vehicle was found by Wetzel County Sheriff’s Deputy Eric Daugherty who was on routine patrol and was a short distance behind the vehicle at the time of the crash.

The incident remains under investigation. Sheriff James Hoskins said, “We believe it may be due to a health condition.”

A total of 10 NMVFD personnel remained on the scene for nearly two hours while the investigation of the accident was conducted and debris was removed.

Other agencies on the scene included: New Martinsville and Paden City police departments, Wetzel County Emergency Medical Service, and the Wetzel County Coroner.