Williamsport Woman Killed in Tragic DUI Crash on I-81: 31-Year-Old Kara Michelle Webber Mourned as Community Demands Justice After Fatal Collision Shuts Down Interstate and Leads to Arrest
WILLIAMSPORT, MD – A somber cloud has fallen over the town of Williamsport following a heartbreaking incident on Sunday night, April 6, 2025, when 31-year-old Kara Michelle Webber lost her life in a violent crash on Interstate 81 in Berkeley County. The collision, which authorities say was caused by impaired driving, has prompted renewed calls for accountability and road safety as the community mourns the untimely loss of a young woman remembered for her kind spirit and vibrant presence.
According to West Virginia State Police, the crash occurred around 11:40 p.m. near mile marker 20 in the northbound lanes of I-81. Preliminary investigations indicate that a pickup truck, driven by an individual whose identity has not yet been publicly released, was traveling at a high rate of speed when it struck the vehicle occupied by Webber. Her vehicle was either slowing or had come to a stop due to traffic ahead when it was struck from behind with such force that it was pushed off the highway and into a roadside embankment.
First responders rushed to the scene, where they found Webber unconscious and critically injured. Despite life-saving efforts by emergency medical personnel, she was pronounced dead on the scene. The driver of the other vehicle sustained minor injuries and was taken into custody after reportedly failing field sobriety tests. DUI charges were filed shortly after, and authorities have confirmed that additional charges may be pending as the investigation continues.
Kara Michelle Webber, a native of Williamsport, was well known in her community for her warm personality and involvement in local volunteer efforts. Friends describe her as someone who “lit up a room with her smile” and “was always there for others, no matter what.” The news of her sudden death has left friends, family, and neighbors reeling.
“Kara was a beautiful soul, and she didn’t deserve this,” said one friend in a tearful statement. “She had dreams, plans, and so much more life ahead of her. It’s hard to believe she’s gone because someone made a reckless choice to drink and drive.”
The crash resulted in a multi-hour shutdown of I-81 northbound lanes, with traffic diverted as investigators reconstructed the scene. The area was finally cleared and reopened early Monday morning, but the emotional weight of what occurred remains heavy in the hearts of those who knew Kara.
This incident underscores the persistent dangers of impaired driving, a problem that continues to devastate lives across the nation. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, more than 11,000 people die each year in alcohol-related crashes in the United States.
The suspect is currently being held at the Eastern Regional Jail in Martinsburg, and court proceedings are expected to begin later this week. Police are urging anyone who may have witnessed the crash or the events leading up to it to come forward with information.
As the community gathers to remember Kara Michelle Webber, candlelight vigils and tributes are already being planned in her honor. Her family has asked for privacy during this time of deep grief but expressed hope that her death will serve as a wake-up call about the devastating consequences of impaired driving.
“She was our daughter, our sister, our friend—and now she’s gone,” the family said in a written statement. “All we ask is that no one else suffer this pain. If you drink, please don’t drive. Think of the lives you could destroy.”
Kara’s funeral arrangements are expected to be announced later this week. A GoFundMe campaign has also been launched to assist with funeral expenses and to create a scholarship fund in her memory.
