The Christmas holiday became a tragic one for the family of a Racine couple and those of a Logan woman.

A single vehicle crash on W.Va. Rt. 3, west of Peytona, caused the deaths of Cyril Edward Cooper Jr., 38, and his wife Tammy Lynn Cooper, 37, from Racine on Saturday.

Cyril Cooper, the driver, lost control of the 2004 Kia Optima while traveling in the eastbound lane. The vehicle traveled across the westbound lane, hit a utility pole and went over an embankment, where it struck several trees.

The accident occurred at around 1:30 a.m. on Saturday, December 23. Both husband and wife died at the scene.

They are survived by three daughters Anna Maynor of Chesapeake and Mereaha and Tamaria at home.

Earlier in the week, Andrea Michelle Paynter, 24, of Davin was killed in a single vehicle accident on the evening of Tuesday, December 19.

Police say that Paynter was driving southbound on 119 between Chapmanville and Danville when the accident occurred.

While attempting to pass another vehicle, she lost control of her Jeep Cherokee and crossed both lanes of traffic before turning over an embankment.

The young woman died at the scene of the accident.

Sheriff Rodney Miller told the Coal Valley News that there was no evidence to suggest that Paynter was under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

The accident is still a matter of investigation by the Boone County Sheriff's Department.

Services were held at noon Saturday, Dec. 23, at Claypool United Methodist Church in Davin and she was laid to rest in Highland Memory Gardens, Godby.

BCSD investigators believe that wet road conditions and speed were contributing factors in the crash. Investigators also believe the Coopers were not wearing seatbelts at the time of the incident.

Miller reminded drivers to use an extra amount of care during the holidays, “With holiday shoppers and travelers adding to the normal flow of traffic, drivers need to take extra care, watch for others and allow extra time for holiday travels. With the increased number of cars on the roads and with the weather changing, there is no room for driving errors.”

Sheriff Miller said the investigation of the crash is continuing and is being conducted by Sergeant D.R. Browning and Deputy B.G Goodwin. Also responding to the scene was the Racine Volunteer Fire Department and the Boone County Ambulance Authority transported the victims.