Three people died in a July 17 crash on Interstate 77 just north of the Kanawha-Jackson county line.
CHARLESTON – A South Charleston man has sued a paving company after one of its employees crossed the median of Interstate 77 in July and caused a multivehicle crash that killed three people and left the plaintiff with serious injuries.
Isaiha K. Casto filed the complaint August 26 in Kanawha Circuit Court against Dunbar-based West Virginia Paving. Casto, 25, is a newly married engineer at Chemours.
The lawsuit alleges that Casto was driving north on I-77 around 7 a.m. July 16 in a 2022 Toyota Camry when a Ram pickup truck operated by West Virginia Paving employee David Richard Whitehouse crossed the interstate median into opposing traffic.
The company vehicle then struck vehicles traveling lawfully in their lanes, including Casto’s car, according to the complaint, which says three people were killed in the crash that investigated by the Jackson County Sheriff’s Department.
According to the state traffic crash report, Casto was not at fault for the collision. He allegedly struck his head in the wreck and suffered permanent injuries including head, neck and back injuries as well as an aggravation of pre-existing herniated discs, concussion and brain injury, He also has suffered psychological injuries, lost wages, medical expenses and pain and suffering, according to the complaint.
The complaint claims Whitehouse failed to maintain control of the pickup, keep a proper lookout, remain in the proper lane, operate at a reasonable speed and use due care toward other motorists.
Casto contends Whitehouse was acting within the course and scope of his employment as a West Virginia Paving foreman at the time. The complaint says the pickup was owned, controlled or furnished by the company and bore the company’s markings or logos.
In addition to negligence and vicarious liability claims, Casto accuses West Virginia Paving of negligent entrustment, negligent hiring, negligent retention, negligent supervision, negligent training and negligent monitoring.
The complaint also notes the company knew or should have known before the crash that Whitehouse had been involved in another motor vehicle collision in 2026, had missed work because of it and had suffered injuries related to that wreck.
Casto alleges the company recklessly allowed Whitehouse to continue operating a company vehicle despite information indicating he posed a danger to the public.
He seeks compensatory, general, special and punitive damages as well as interest, court costs and other relief.
Casto is being represented by John Einreinhofer of the Law Offices of John Einreinhofer in South Charleston. The case has been assigned to Circuit Judge Dave Hardy.
Kanawha Circuit Court case number 26-C-1053
