One dead in crash involving sheriff’s deputy

FALLING WATERS, WV (LOOTPRESS) – One individual is confirmed to have died in a vehicle accident involving a sheriff’s deputy on Saturday.

The Berkeley County Sheriff’s Office reports that, at approximately 7:20pm on Saturday, August 3, 2024, deputies were responding to an incident at the Riverbend RV Park when a Berkeley County Sheriff’s Office vehicle collided with a Toyota Camry at the Illinois Avenue/King Street intersection.

The deputy operating the BCSO vehicle at the time of the incident has been identified as Deputy Clark, while the driver of the Toyota Camry involved has been identified as 51-year-old Michael Christensen of Martinsburg, West Virginia.

Reports state that an investigation comprising witness statements, in-vehicle footage, and on-scene evidence indicate that the incident occurred after the driver of the Toyota entered onto King Street having failed to yield to the BCSO vehicle which had the right of way at the time.

The BCSO vehicle had been traveling west on King Street and struck the Toyota on its driver’s side. Both vehicles are said to have come to a stop on the sidewalk at the south side of King Street.

The driver of the Toyota was declared dead on the scene, while a passenger – identified by authorities as 48-year-old Christopher Dodrill of Ridgeley, West Virginia was transported by EMS from the scene to receive medical treatment for injuries which are said to have been life-threatening.

Deputy Clark also was transported by EMS from the scene for injuries which were non-life threatening. The officer is confirmed to have later been medically released.

“Sheriff Blair and the members of the Berkeley County Sheriff’s Department are praying for the family of Mr. Christensen and Mr. Dodrill that were involved in this incident along with our deputy,” said the Berkeley County Sheriff’s Office following the incident.

The accident remains under investigation by the Berkeley County Sheriff’s Office Accident Reconstruction Team.