MARTINSBURG — A 15-year-old boy died Wednesday night in an apparent suicide after being hit by a tractor-trailer during a traffic stop on Interstate 81.
The incident occurred near mile marker 16 northbound around 8 p.m.
A press release from the Berkeley County Sheriff's Department states that the boy tried to jump out of his mother's car while she was driving. When she veered off the road to stop him, he got out of the car and onto the interstate, where he was hit by a trailer.
They arrived at the scene before the police and began rescuing the victim until an ambulance arrived. The boy was taken to Berkeley Medical Center with life-threatening injuries, where he was pronounced dead shortly after arrival.
The driver of the tractor-trailer, who remained at the scene while the investigation was conducted, has not been charged.
The boy's identity has not been released.
“This is a tragic event, and our thoughts and prayers are with the family of this male boy,” Berkeley County Sheriff Rob Blair said in a press release. “Our agents approached this investigation with professionalism and compassion. Unfortunately, our nation's police officers frequently respond to incidents like this and are unable to process what they witness. We will work hard to ensure that they have the support they need to do so.”
If you or someone you know is in crisis or considering suicide, call or text 988 to speak to a mental health professional.