FAYETTE COUNTY, WV (October 7, 2025) — Authorities have identified 63-year-old Jack Walter of Middlesex, North Carolina, as the man who died in a hit-and-run crash last Friday on Interstate 77 in Fayette County. The collision remains under investigation as state police continue their search for the tractor-trailer and driver involved.
Accident Details: According to the West Virginia State Police, the crash occurred just before noon near Exit 63 on the northbound lanes of I-77. Investigators believe Walter had pulled over or was outside his vehicle when he was struck by a passing tractor-trailer. The driver did not stop and continued northbound.
Emergency responders arrived within minutes, but Walter was pronounced dead at the scene. The impact caused heavy damage to nearby guardrails, suggesting the truck may have veered toward the shoulder before leaving the area. Traffic on the West Virginia Turnpike was slowed for several hours as troopers marked debris and gathered physical evidence from the roadway.
Investigation: Troopers from the Princeton Detachment are leading the investigation and working with the West Virginia Turnpike Authority to review toll booth and highway surveillance footage. Investigators are also contacting freight carriers and logistics companies operating along I-77 to determine if one of their vehicles may have been in the area around the time of the crash.
Authorities said tire fragments and reflective debris were collected at the scene and will be compared with maintenance records from regional trucking companies. Detectives believe the vehicle involved was a commercial tractor-trailer, though its exact color and markings remain unknown.
Anyone who may have witnessed the crash or noticed a damaged truck traveling through the corridor around midday Friday is urged to contact the West Virginia State Police.
Legal Considerations: Fatal pedestrian crashes on major highways present complex investigative challenges. When a commercial truck is suspected, investigators look closely at maintenance logs, electronic trip records, and the driver’s duty hours to determine responsibility.
Once the truck is located, findings from the investigation could support criminal charges and inform safety reviews for freight carriers operating on the Turnpike. The case has renewed attention on driver awareness and the importance of remaining alert along high-speed freight routes.
Our condolences go out to the family and friends of Jack Walter during this difficult time.
Source: WVVA