THURMONT, Md. — Although a month has passed, Maryland state troopers, civic organizations and concerned citizens have not relented in their efforts to find the driver who struck and killed a U.S. Marine who had stopped to help a disabled motorist along Rt. 15 in Frederick County and are offering a reward of more than $6,000.
United States Marine Corps Corporal William Ferrell, 21, of Carthage, N.C., was struck and killed shortly before 11:00 p.m. on September 29, 2015, on northbound US Rt. 15, north of Auburn Road, in Thurmont, Md. Cpl. Ferrell was assigned to the Naval Support Facility in Thurmont and worked at Camp David.
The investigation indicates Cpl. Ferrell had stopped in his 2012 Nissan Titan to help a motorist whose vehicle was disabled during a heavy rain storm. Evidence indicates Ferrell was standing outside of his truck on the highway shoulder when an unknown vehicle struck him, causing fatal injuries. The vehicle also struck the Cpl. Ferrell’s pickup, causing significant damage.
Currently, information developed by State Police Crash Team investigators indicates the striking vehicle was a heavy duty pick-up truck with a dual wheel axle. Troopers believe the truck was towing a car hauler trailer and was most likely a ‘goose neck’ type trailer. Investigators say damage to the striking vehicle may have been confined to the trailer and if there is damage to the pick-up truck, it is probably minor.
When Cpl. Ferrell was struck, the driver of the vehicle that was disabled went into traffic to divert oncoming vehicles away from the Marine’s body. At least two vehicles passed that driver before a tractor trailer was able to block both lanes of northbound Rt. 15. Police believe both those vehicles drove past the suspect’s truck and trailer because the hit and run driver briefly pulled to the side of the road north of the crash scene before continuing north. Troopers are hoping both those drivers will contact them and provide any information they have about the striking vehicle.
The initial reward for information offered by Metro Crime Stoppers was up to $2,000, but that reward has more than doubled this week, thanks to a donation of $2,500 from the National Warriors Foundation. The reward of up to $4,500 is for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the driver responsible for the fatal hit and run.
The Maryland Troopers Association is offering an additional reward of $1,000 for information, as is a donor who wishes to remain anonymous. The total reward available now stands at up to $6,500.
Anyone with information is urged to contact Metro Crime Stoppers at 1-866-7LOCKUP, or 1-866-756-2587. Phone calls are not recorded and callers may remain anonymous.
