West Virginia
West Virginia woman dies after tree collapses on home during Tropical Storm Debby
Severe storm leaves cars stranded on flooded New Jersey roads
Severe storms caused flash flooding in parts of coastal New Jersey.
A Jefferson County, W.Va., woman died after a large uprooted tree fell through a home in the Shannondale community southwest of Harpers Ferry as the area was feeling the effects from Tropical Storm Debby, according to West Virginia State Police.
Stephanie Wishmyer, 36, was hit and pinned under the tree Thursday night, according to a state police release. She was pronounced deceased at the scene.
Her husband, who also was home, was in an adjacent part of the home when the tree fell and was not injured.
State police noted that there had been substantial rain and effects from Tropical Storm Debby in the area on Thursday night.
Local impact from Debby: Memorial Boulevard closed to traffic between Potomac Street and Frederick Street
Live updates: Fast-moving Debby threatens Northeast with more dangerous conditions
Another tree fell while emergency crews were on scene and struck Independent Fire Co.’s Rescue 4 vehicle, causing minimal damage, according to state police. That tree knocked down power lines, which ended up atop a fire apparatus truck from Loudoun County, Va.
Emergency operations were suspended temporarily until the lines could be removed so operations could continue safely, state police said.
No injuries were reported from the second tree falling.
Emergency crews responded to the home in the 200 block of Mad Hatter Road shortly before 10 p.m. Thursday.
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West Virginia
Morrisey signs Baylea’s Law, increasing criminal penalties in W.Va. for DUI causing death
CHARLESTON, W.Va. (WCHS) — West Virginia Gov. Patrick Morrisey officially signed House Bill 4712 into law on Friday.
The bill, better known as Baylea’s Law, increases criminal penalties against those who are convicted of driving under the influence resulting in death. The bill is named after Baylea Bower, a 24-year-old woman from Boone County who was killed in a car crash on Easter in 2025 caused by a drunk driver.
The bill passed the House in February, with several of Bower’s family and friends gathered at the West Virginia Capitol in support of the bill.
“Obviously we’re going to be heartbroken,” Bower’s friend India Henderson said. “We have the lifetime sentence of not having Baylea. But if this does help save a life in the future and cause someone to not want to go out and cause this tragedy, then that is a win.”
In accordance with the passage of the bill, Baylea’s Law will take effect on June 12.
“West Virginia will no longer allow those who drive while impaired to escape the full weight of justice,” Morrisey said Friday in a press release. “Baylea’s Law gives our legal system the teeth to demand absolute accountability for the most heartbreaking crimes. Today, our laws stand firmly on the side of victims and their families.”
Specifically, Baylea’s Law introduces the offense of aggravated DUI resulting in death, which will carry the following mandatory sentences, according to a release from Morrisey’s office:
- Five to 30 years in prison
- Fine of $2,000 to $10,000
- Lifetime revocation of the offender’s driver’s license
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