MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — Morgantown police officers began gathering surveillance video from the Patteson Drive area Monday in hopes of finding clues in a deadly hit-and-run investigation.
WVU student Joseph Dzuris of Harpers Ferry was crossing the street at about 5 a.m. Sunday when he was struck by a eastbound motorist who didn’t stop. Dzuris, a third-year civil engineering major, was killed.
Morgantown Police Chief Ed Preston said Monday on MetroNews “Talkline” several businesses in the area have surveillance cameras and existing traffic cameras may be able to provide some information. The chief also said he believes there were eyewitnesses.
“Somebody somewhere knows what happened. Somebody saw something,” Preston said. “That’s what we’re hoping for, trying to get somebody to come forward and tell us what kind of car they saw or who they saw or a license plate number of a person. Somebody saw something.”
Police are tracing Dzuris’ actions before the accident and how he arrived at Patteson Drive.
Dzuris worked the night shift as a resident assistant in WVU’s Braxton Tower, checking identification cards of students coming and going.
“Our heartfelt sympathies go out to Joseph’s family and many friends, and the countless students whose lives he touched so meaningfully,” WVU said in a release issued Sunday night.
The university is offering counseling services.
“He actually worked in the same building my office was in,” remembered WVU Dean of Students and Director of Housing Corey Farris. “I’d see him frequently throughout the week and he was just a great student and great kid who always had a smile on his face.”
Farris said Dzuris built great relationships with the students who lived on his floor in the residence hall.
“(RAs) do a little bit of that rules and regulation enforcement that people remember them for, but really they serve as a big brother on campus,” Farris said about Dzuris.
Farris said Monday was a somber day on campus with many students who lived in the residence halls, students who worked with Dzuris, and friends coping with his sudden death.
“It’s affecting lots of students,” admitted Farris. “It’s losing one of your own.”
Preston said many unanswered questions remain.
“I don’t think anything at this point and time because we haven’t concluded the investigation. I won’t speculate on anything at this point and time,” the chief said.
Morgantown police can be reached at 304-284-7522.