Emergency crews responded to Route 219 in Elkins last Wednesday to find 71-year-old Mark Spencer already lying lifeless on the roadway, his bicycle tangled a few feet away after being struck by a Ford F-150. The collision happened around 5:45 p.m., just as dusk settled over the intersection at Harpertown-Gilman Road. Spencer had spent the afternoon doing what he loved most—riding along the local bike trails he frequented several times a week.
He was attempting to cross the highway on his way home when the southbound truck hit him with such devastating force that paramedics had no hope of reviving him when they arrived minutes later.The driver of the F-150 stayed at the scene, visibly shaken, and immediately cooperated with law enforcement.
West Virginia State Police have not yet released details about what specifically led to the collision—whether visibility, speed, or roadway angles played a role—but investigators spent hours documenting the scene, gathering measurements, and reconstructing the moments leading up to impact. No charges have been announced, and authorities say the investigation remains active.
News of Spencer’s death has rippled through the Elkins community, where he was widely known for his friendly nature, gentle humor, and commitment to staying active well into his seventies. Neighbors often saw him pedaling through town, waving as he passed, or stopping to chat about trail conditions and the upcoming weather. For him, cycling was more than exercise—it was freedom, routine, and joy.
Loved ones say Spencer cherished simple days outdoors and valued the independence his bicycle gave him. Losing him so suddenly, and so violently, has left his family and friends grappling with heartbreak and disbelief. As investigators work to determine exactly what happened, the community mourns a man whose presence was as steady and familiar as the roads he rode.
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