A fatal accident occurred on Tuesday, February 20, 2024, in the parking lot of a Clarksburg, West Virginia school, resulting in the death of a teacher/coach, Ryan Lantz, who was struck by a student’s vehicle.

The incident, which took place around 7:30 a.m. at Liberty High School, appears to have been a result of the student driver being blinded by the morning sunlight. The Harrison County Sheriff’s Department, under Sheriff Robert Matheny, has categorized the incident as accidental, citing the unanticipated conditions that led to Lantz’s premature death. Preliminary reports indicate this tragic event was not foreseen.

Ryan Lantz, a Liberty High School graduate, was a pivotal part of the school community. He was a standout in two sports during his student years before returning as a coach. He devoted ten years of his life to teaching at the school, most recently contributing as a journalism instructor. Lantz served as the boys’ varsity basketball coach for four years until 2021. Following his tenure, he transitioned to coaching the freshman team and assisting at the varsity level at Robert C. Byrd High School, also located in Clarksburg, West Virginia.

The Harrison County School District expressed profound sorrow over the passing of such a “respected teacher.” The district underscored the severe impact of this incident on the school community and extended its sympathies to all affected families. In a mark of respect, all extracurricular activities at Liberty High School and all scheduled school board meetings were suspended.

In the wake of this tragic event, a GoFundMe campaign initiated by Chelsea Holyfield, Lantz’s niece, has raised over $15,000, a testament to the community’s wish to honor his memory and support his family. Holyfield described Lantz as a “wonderful father, husband, grandfather, son, brother, uncle, coach, pastor, teacher, and disciple of Christ” on the fundraising page.

Before any additional information was released to the public, authorities ensured that all family members were informed and set up counseling services for students and staff at both Liberty and Robert C. Byrd High Schools, where Lantz had served as a coach.

Despite the profound loss, Ryan Lantz’s impact on Liberty High School and the wider Clarksburg, West Virginia community will be remembered for his dedication, love, and unwavering faith.