A semi-truck driver backing up on the I-64/I-77 split in Charleston, West Virginia, sparked fresh safety concerns this week after a witness captured the dangerous maneuver on video. The incident, reported by WSAZ, occurred on Wednesday as a driver attempted to reverse on the interstate rather than using a nearby exit, forcing other motorists to swerve to avoid a collision.
This near-miss is the latest flashpoint in a larger pattern of instability at the “Divide,” a stretch of highway where I-64 drivers must choose between heading left toward Parkersburg or right toward Beckley. For those who live and work overlooking this junction, the sight of a massive rig reversing into high-speed traffic isn’t just a traffic violation—it’s a symptom of a systemic safety failure at one of West Virginia’s most heavily traveled crossings.
A view from the 12th floor
Emily Boyd, who works in an office overlooking the split, was alerted by the sound of loud braking and what she believed was an accident. Looking down from her 12th-story window, she witnessed a semi-truck stopped at the divide before it began backing up directly into the flow of interstate traffic.
“Initially, I didn’t know if he had hit the barrier or hit a car because I couldn’t see on the other side,” Boyd said. “So, I stood there, and was like, ‘He’s backing up on the interstate!’ There are people flying by, people honking.”
The danger was compounded by the proximity of a safe alternative. Boyd noted that another exit was located only about a quarter mile down the road, making the decision to reverse a giant truck on a highway an unnecessary and high-risk gamble. The sight has left a lasting impression on Boyd, who says she now has difficult conversations with her children about how a single split-second decision at this junction can be life-altering.
The systemic danger of the Divide
This incident is a central piece of WSAZ’s “Danger at the Divide” investigation, which has documented a series of deadly crashes in the area. The primary hazard involves vehicles going up and over the interstate barrier.
The human stakes are high. For parents like Boyd, the fear extends to the daily commute, including school buses that traverse the split. The psychological toll of these crashes often manifests as a fundamental shift in driving habits—a newfound hesitation to drive between semi-trucks or a constant need to drive slowly.
Police increase patrols while transport department modifies roadways
When asked if specific penalties exist for drivers who reverse on the interstate, Charleston police stated that if an officer witnesses the act in real-time, they can issue a citation. To combat the frequency of these errors, police have committed to heightened patrolling in the area to discourage speeding and prevent illegal maneuvers.
However, law enforcement is only one part of the solution. The West Virginia Department of Transportation has begun implementing physical changes to the roadway to reduce the likelihood of vehicles sliding off the pavement or crossing barriers:
- High-Friction Surface Treatment: The state began applying a specialized surface this week designed to help keep cars from sliding and leaving the interstate.
- Speed Limit Reduction: Last week, the speed limit through the interchange was lowered from 60 mph to 50 mph to give drivers more time to react to the split.
The tension between flow and safety
The West Virginia Department of Transportation lowered the speed limit through the I-64/I-77 interchange from 60 mph to 50 mph.
For the people of Charleston, the high-friction pavement and the new speed signs are welcome, but they may not be enough to erase the anxiety of watching a semi-truck reverse into traffic from a 12th-story window.
“I don’t want my kid driving across it, I don’t like when their buses go on it,” Boyd said. “It was definitely a wake-up call for me.”
