The communities of Taylor County and Dinwiddie are mourning the tragic loss of Shonda Rawlings-Henderson, who died Tuesday morning in a devastating collision involving a loaded log truck along U.S. Route 50.

According to the West Virginia State Police, the crash occurred at approximately 9:30 a.m. near Sigmans Hollow Road in the Thornton area of Taylor County. Authorities confirmed that 51-year-old Shonda Rawlings-Henderson was pronounced deceased at the scene as a result of injuries sustained in the collision.

Preliminary findings indicate that a 2013 Peterbilt log truck, driven by 22-year-old Robert Evans III of Eglon in Preston County, was traveling westbound on Route 50 when the driver entered a right-hand curve. Investigators reported that during the maneuver, the trailer carrying the load of logs crossed the center line into the eastbound lane and overturned onto Rawlings-Henderson’s 2019 Ford F-150.

Emergency responders arrived quickly at the scene, but despite those efforts, Rawlings-Henderson’s injuries proved fatal.

Authorities have not publicly released the condition of the truck driver, and no charges have been announced at this stage of the investigation.

The West Virginia State Police Crash Reconstruction Team continues to investigate the collision. Officials confirmed that both a crash reconstruction investigation and a parallel criminal review are underway as authorities work to determine the complete circumstances surrounding the incident.

The sudden loss of Shonda Rawlings-Henderson has left family members, friends, and community members grieving a life taken unexpectedly on what began as an ordinary morning. As the investigation continues, loved ones are remembering her beyond the tragedy and mourning the painful void her passing has left behind.