Hunter Allen Combs, 12, is being remembered after he died following a pedestrian crash in South Charleston, West Virginia.
South Charleston police said the boy was struck by a vehicle Monday evening while crossing MacCorkle Avenue, also known as U.S. 60, near Rock Lake Drive. He was taken to a local hospital, where he later died from his injuries.
The death has brought grief to the South Charleston community and particularly to students and staff at Dunbar Middle School, where Hunter was a student. The school said its community was grieving the sudden loss of a classmate and that grief counselors were available to support students.
Hunter Combs Dies After South Charleston Pedestrian Crash
According to police, the incident happened at approximately 7:30 p.m. Monday along MacCorkle Avenue at Rock Lake Drive.
Initial reports described a pedestrian being struck and a portion of the roadway being closed while authorities investigated. Police later identified the victim as 12-year-old Hunter Combs of South Charleston.
Police said Hunter had been walking with friends in the area before the collision.
Authorities obtained and reviewed surveillance video from the scene as part of the investigation.
Dunbar Middle School Mourns Student
Hunter’s death has also affected the school community.
Dunbar Middle School acknowledged the sudden loss and said its thoughts were with Hunter’s family, friends and classmates. The school also made grief counseling available for students who wanted to talk with someone following his death.
For classmates and teachers, the loss of a 12-year-old student can be especially difficult because of the suddenness of the tragedy.
The school community is now facing the process of remembering Hunter while supporting students who may be struggling with grief.
Hunter Allen Combs Obituary Details
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full name | Hunter Allen Combs |
| Age | 12 |
| Residence | South Charleston, West Virginia |
| School | Dunbar Middle School |
| Incident | Pedestrian struck by vehicle |
| Location | MacCorkle Avenue (U.S. 60) and Rock Lake Drive |
| Date of incident | Monday, September 21, 2026 |
| Date of death | September 21, 2026 |
| Cause of death | Injuries sustained after being struck by a vehicle |
| Investigation | South Charleston Police, with accident reconstruction assistance |
| Funeral arrangements | Not announced in available reports |
Investigation Into the Collision
South Charleston police are continuing to investigate the circumstances surrounding the crash.
Police have obtained surveillance footage from the area, while an accident reconstruction team from the Kanawha County Sheriff’s Department is assisting with the investigation.
Authorities have not released a complete account of the events leading up to the collision.
One police account reported that Hunter entered the five-lane roadway and was struck by a passing vehicle. Investigators are continuing to examine the circumstances and available evidence.
No additional conclusions about responsibility should be drawn until the investigation is completed.
A Sudden Loss for Hunter’s Family and Friends
Hunter’s death has left his family, friends and classmates facing a sudden loss.
At only 12 years old, his life was still unfolding, making his death an especially difficult event for those who knew him.
The people closest to Hunter will have their own memories of him, from time spent with family and friends to everyday experiences at school and in the community.
Those memories will remain important as they cope with his absence.
South Charleston Community Responds to Tragedy
The crash occurred only hours after another fatal collision in South Charleston on Monday, according to local authorities.
Police said two people were killed in a separate vehicle collision earlier that afternoon on the South Charleston side of the Dunbar Toll Bridge. Hunter’s death occurred several hours later in a separate incident near MacCorkle Avenue and Rock Lake Drive.
The two incidents are being investigated separately.
Hunter’s death, however, has brought particular concern to the local school community because of his age and his connection to Dunbar Middle School.
Funeral Arrangements and Family Information
Additional information about Hunter’s family and funeral arrangements has not been included in the latest reports available.
As his loved ones make arrangements to honor his life, further details may be released through the family or an authorized funeral service.
For now, the focus remains on remembering Hunter and supporting those who knew him.
Remembering Hunter Allen Combs
Hunter Allen Combs is being remembered as a 12-year-old South Charleston student whose life was cut short after he was struck by a vehicle.
His death has affected his family, friends, classmates and school community.
As the investigation continues, those closest to Hunter will be left to hold onto their memories of him while facing the difficult reality of his passing.
Disclaimer
This article is based on current reports from South Charleston police and local news organizations concerning the death of 12-year-old Hunter Combs. The headline supplied identifies him as Hunter Allen Combs, while the current police and news reports reviewed identify the child as Hunter Combs. The circumstances of the collision remain under investigation. No conclusions about fault or responsibility should be drawn before authorities complete their investigation. Funeral arrangements and additional family information were not available in the reports reviewed.