BECKLEY, W.Va. — A quiet evening in Beckley took a tragic turn Saturday night when a beloved community member, 72-year-old William Clark, was struck and killed by a vehicle in what authorities are describing as a hit-and-run incident. The Beckley Police Department publicly released details of the incident and the ongoing investigation on Sunday.
According to Deputy Chief David Allard, officers were dispatched at approximately 7:52 p.m. on October 25, 2025, to the 3600 block of Robert C. Byrd Drive after receiving reports that a pedestrian had been hit. When first responders arrived, they discovered Mr. Clark suffering from severe injuries. He was quickly transported by EMS to a local hospital, but despite lifesaving efforts, he was pronounced deceased.
Witnesses at the scene told police that the vehicle involved fled southbound on Robert C. Byrd Drive immediately following the collision, leaving the injured pedestrian behind. What began as a routine Saturday evening became a moment of loss that has deeply shaken the Beckley community.
A Dedicated Investigation and Hope for Accountability
The West Virginia State Police assisted with the scene by conducting a crash reconstruction, providing crucial information to help investigators piece together what happened. Meanwhile, Beckley Police officers and detectives worked through the night to collect physical evidence and secure surveillance footage along the vehicle’s suspected route.
Thanks to these investigative efforts, a suspect has now been identified, and the vehicle has been located and seized for forensic analysis. Authorities have stated that charges are expected to be filed in the coming days, pending consultation with the Raleigh County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office.
For the family of William Clark — and for the community that knew him — this brings a measure of comfort, but the sadness remains profound.
Remembering William Clark
At 72 years old, William Clark was a man whose presence touched lives quietly but deeply. Whether in day-to-day interactions, in routines shared with neighbors, or in the small kindnesses extended over years, his absence is felt not just by family, but by the city that surrounded him.
His passing serves as a heartbreaking reminder of how fragile and precious life is, and how quickly it can change without warning.
The Beckley Police Department offered its deepest condolences to Mr. Clark’s loved ones, stating:
“The Beckley Police Department extends our deepest condolences to the family of Mr. Clark.”
The community echoes those words — honoring his memory, sharing in the grief of those who loved him, and supporting them through the difficult days ahead.
A Community Standing Together
Though the investigation remains active and no additional details have been released at this time, one thing is clear: Beckley stands united in honoring William Clark’s life. There is hope that accountability and justice will follow, but even more importantly, there is love — love for a man whose life mattered.
To the family and friends of William Clark, may you find comfort in the memories you shared:
- The laughter
- The conversations
- The lessons and the moments
- The love that continues
May his memory be a blessing.
May his spirit live on in every life he touched.
