15-year-old dead after leaving vehicle and running in front of tractor trailer in suicide attempt

MARTINSBURG, WV (LOOTPRESS) – A 15-year-old West Virginia boy is dead after jumping in front of a tractor-trailer on the interstate in a suicide attempt while traveling with his mother.

According to the Berkeley County Sheriff’s Office, on May 15, 2024, at approximately 7:43 PM, Berkeley County Sheriff’s Deputies were dispatched to a suicidal person at the 16-mile marker of Interstate 81.

While responding to this location, Berkeley Dispatch advised that the person was struck by a tractor-trailer. Deputies arrived on the scene before medics and began rendering aid to the victim until EMS arrived.

According to police, during the investigation, it was learned that the victim, a 15-year-old male juvenile from Martinsburg, was suicidal and was attempting to jump from his mother’s vehicle while she was driving.

The mother pulled off the roadway to stop him, however, he was able to escape the vehicle and run onto the interstate, where he was struck tractor-trailer.

The striking vehicle, a tractor-trailer, remained on the scene and was compliant with the investigation.

The victim was transported to Berkeley Medical Center with life-threatening injuries, and shortly after arrival, he was pronounced deceased.

The driver of the tractor-trailer will not be charged.

The identity of the male will not be released due to him being a juvenile.

“This is a tragic event, and our thoughts and prayers go to the family of this male juvenile. Our deputies handled this investigation with professionalism and compassion,” said Berkeley County Sheriff Rob Blair.

“Our police officers unfortunately deal with events such as this all too often and we will make efforts to ensure that they have the help needed to process what they witnessed.”