A Marine who tried to help the driver of a disabled vehicle in heavy rain Tuesday night in Frederick County was hit and killed by a driver who fled the scene.
Marine Cpl. William Ferrell, 21, stopped to help a driver on northbound Route 15 in Thurmont, Maryland State Police said. Ferrell, of Carthage, North Carolina, was walking on the shoulder and was just feet from the stranded car when a tractor-trailer or heavy-duty pickup with a car-hauling trailer left the road, striking and killing him.
Witnesses tell police that as they tended to Ferrell, the truck stopped for a few minutes, then pulled away. Police say the truck likely has damage to its right side.
State troopers were dispatched about 10:50 p.m. and Ferrell was pronounced dead at the scene.
Police say Ferrell, who was known to friends as Kyle, was assigned to Camp David, known formally as the Naval Support Facility Thurmont.
Chief Brian Tyner of the fire department in Ferrell's hometown described the young man as selfless and dedicated to service.
"He's a great guy. He'll do anything for you," he said.
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Ferrell joined the fire department at age 16 and then joined the U.S. Marine Corps, Tyner said. His journey led him to Maryland, where he was promoted to corporal and stationed at Camp David.
Residents of Ferrell's hometown are figuring out how they can honor his legacy, Tyner said.
"He was always helping somebody -- going out of his way to lend a helping hand," he said.
If you have information that can help police, call 301-600-4151.
