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WHEELING - A third victim involved in a Saturday morning crash on Interstate 70 has died.

Steven Carpenter, 20, of Toronto died at Allegheny General Hospital in Pittsburgh, an official at the hospital confirmed. Carpenter was a passenger in an auto involved in what police are calling a case of road rage.

Also killed in the crash were Justin Wright, 29, of Toronto and Brittany Lynn Kusic, 26, of Weirton. Wright was driving the vehicle.

According to police, Wright's vehicle, a Ford Ranger, was intentionally struck by David E. Hancher-Palmer while traveling the on-ramp to I-70 from The Highlands. The collision sent Wright's vehicle out of control and into the westbound lanes of traffic where it was struck by a tractor-trailer.

A fourth passenger in the Ranger, Ashley Wright, remains in fair condition at Ohio Valley Medical Center.

Hancher-Palmer, 22, of Rayland is being held in the Northern Regional Jail on four counts of malicious assault, leaving the scene of an accident and driving with a suspended license for his alleged involvement in that crash.

West Virginia State Police Sgt. Scott Adams said Hancher-Palmer intentionally drove his 1992 Chevrolet Beretta into Wright's truck. Adams said there were reports the two exchanged words from vehicle-to-vehicle prior to the crash.

Adams said Hancher-Palmer and Justin Wright were once friends, but that friendship recently ended. Adams said the events that preceded the deaths are still being investigated.

Also on Monday, Ohio County Sheriff's Chief Deputy Drage Flick said Hancher-Palmer's father, David Elmo Palmer, 44, of Bridgeport, is wanted on charges that also involve Justin Wright.

Flick said there is a warrant for David Elmo Palmer's arrest on a charge of battery. According to the chief, David Elmo Palmer allegedly assaulted Justin Wright on Jan. 11 at the Wheeling Treatment Clinic - the same location Justin Wright and Hancher-Palmer left just before the fatal crash.

Flick said evidence indicates David Elmo Palmer and Justin Wright were involved in a financial dispute. Justin Wright was transported to Wheeling Hospital after he allegedly was punched in the face by David Elmo Palmer on Jan. 11. And on Jan. 10, the day before the alleged battery, David Elmo Palmer reportedly threatened Justin Wright with a hammer.

"It appears Justin Wright owed the father money for mechanic work," Flick said. David Elmo Palmer "was dropping his son off for treatment, and they were there at the same time. After he assaulted Mr. Wright, he fled the area before we arrived, and he left his son there."

Adams said Hancher-Palmer fled the scene of the crash Saturday but did turn himself in to authorities later that day. Adams said Hancher-Palmer did not know anyone had died when he was first questioned by investigators. The sergeant noted, however, that statements obtained in the investigation led him to believe that the contact between the vehicles driven by Hancher-Palmer and Justin Wright was no accident.

"He intended to at least hurt them considering their history, witness statements and witnesses near the scene ... ," Adams said. "He was cooperative in coming in. Once he learned about the fatalities, he was visibly upset. I don't know what he knew.

Adams has been a state trooper for 16 years. He said the accident scene was one of the most difficult he has handled and the first "road rage" fatality he has investigated.

"It was horrible," Adams said. "I have spoken to several family members, and just the loss they have gone through is something they'll never get used to. I've seen some pretty bad wrecks. This is right up there."