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Police Seek Truck That Hit Man Who Stopped To Help

THURMONT, Md. (WJZ) -- New details about a deadly hit and run on a busy Frederick County highway. Maryland State Police say the victim was a US Marine.

Amy Yensi has the latest on the investigation.

Many are calling that Marine a hero---a true serviceman, killed while trying to save someone else.

An act of service for US Marine William Ferrell became his last. The 21-year-old corporal was struck and killed late Tuesday night near the intersection of US 15 and Auburn Road.

Officials say Ferrell stopped his truck to help a stranded driver during a heavy rainstorm. He was standing on the shoulder when another truck left the road, striking and killing him.

"This good Samaritan had done several things to make himself obvious to light up at that scene, putting on a reflective vest to light himself up so there should have been no doubt in that driver's mind that he hit someone," said Greg Shipley.

Witnesses tell police that after the crash, the truck stopped for a few minutes and then pulled away.

State police are now calling on the public to find the hit-and-run driver. They believe he was in a black tractor trailer or heavy-duty pickup truck with obvious damage on the right side.

They cleared wreckage from another crash on the same road less than 24 hours later. WJZ cameras caught a helicopter landing to airlift at least one victim.

Drivers say crashes are common on the roadway.

"There's a lot of side streets and stops that come out so you go from stops to high speed very quickly," said Kelly Hax.

Ferrell was assigned to the Naval Support Facility in Thurmont. The crash remains under investigation.

Anyone who witnessed the crash or may have information about the vehicle or driver in the hit-and-run is asked to immediately contact the Maryland State Police Frederick Barracks at 301-600-4151. Callers may remain anonymous.

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