Ralph Edward Martin Jr. Killed in Mount Nebo Hit-and-Run
Harley David Webb faces criminal charges after fleeing the deadly collision on Route 41
Ralph Edward Martin Jr., 70, was killed in a hit-and-run crash on Route 41 in Mount Nebo, West Virginia, on Monday, according to the Nicholas County Sheriff’s Office.
Harley David Webb, 22, was arrested and charged with leaving the scene of a deadly crash after he allegedly pulled out of a driveway recklessly and struck the victim's pickup truck. Deputies later located the suspect in Summersville and took him into custody.
Martin, who was driving the pickup, died at the scene from his injuries.
Webb is currently being held at the Central Regional Jail on a $15,000 cash-only bond.
Emergency crews closed the road for more than two hours to clear the wreckage.
According to the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, hit-and-run crashes account for approximately 15% of all police-reported collisions nationwide.
The sudden loss of a loved one in a hit-and-run leaves families grappling with deep grief and unanswered questions.
While the criminal justice system pursues accountability for the driver who fled the scene on Route 41, the victim's family must also handle the complex civil implications of the crash.
Candice Bond, managing partner at Bond Legal, said, "Unidentified motorists delay accountability and complicate recovery efforts for families facing unexpected medical bills, funeral expenses, and ongoing emotional devastation. Investigators sometimes spend months trying to locate fleeing drivers through witness accounts and vehicle tracking."
"An attorney can coordinate witness interviews, preserve testimony while recollections remain fresh, and help families navigate insurance complications during extended investigative periods," added Bond, who is also a national legal analyst for Accident News.
How do criminal charges impact a hit-and-run investigation in Nicholas County?
When a suspect is arrested for fleeing a fatal collision, the resulting criminal proceedings establish a clear record of negligence. Investigators document the vehicle damage, the point of impact near the driveway, and the timeline of the suspect's flight to Summersville. This evidence becomes important not only for the criminal prosecution but also for any subsequent civil actions.
In hit-and-run accidents such as this, the parallel tracks of criminal and civil justice provide different forms of recourse for grieving families.
West Virginia wrongful death statute
Under W. Va. Code § 55-7-5, surviving family members may file a wrongful death action. West Virginia applies modified comparative fault (50% bar). The statute of limitations is 2 years.
Recoverable damages may include loss of financial support, loss of companionship, funeral expenses, and the decedent's pre-death pain and suffering.
"Initial scene documentation captures evidence before conditions change or materials disappear. Collecting photographs, measurements, and environmental details creates an irreplaceable investigative record," said Stefano Formica, of counsel at Bond Legal.
"Legal counsel coordinates with reconstruction experts and preserves findings independently to protect surviving family interests during insurance disputes," noted Formica, who is also a national legal analyst for Accident News.