James Benjamin “Jamie” Clarke Jr., who was struck by a pickup truck earlier this month while walking near his home, died Nov. 20 at a Baltimore hospital.

St. Mary’s sheriff’s deputies continued this week their investigation of the Veterans Day accident as family and friends mourned the Vietnam veteran’s death.

Clarke, 65, worked for the last 15 years at Carroll’s Equipment in Dameron, where he sold parts and supplies at the John Deere business.

“He had a friendly and helpful personality,” Brenda Carroll, owner of the business, said. She said he was well-known among the business’ customers, many of whom have expressed their concern.

Clarke, a native of St. Mary’s County, graduated from Ryken High School in 1965. He then served in the U.S. Army as an artilleryman in the 1st Infantry Division in Vietnam. He was awarded a Bronze Star, Vietnam Service Army Commendation Medal and the Vietnam Companion Medal for his service there, according to his obituary.

“I didn’t realize everything he was involved with,” Carroll said, referring to his time over the years helping with youth sports as well as his involvement with the local VFW Post 2632 in California.

“It’s very shocking when something like this happens,” Carroll said.

A Maryland State Police helicopter crew flew Clarke to the University of Maryland Hospital’s shock-trauma center in Baltimore, sheriff’s deputies reported, after he was struck by a vehicle shortly before 9:30 a.m. on Sunday, Nov. 11, while walking along Harrison Street, in a housing area where Clarke lived off Chancellor’s Run Road.

The following day, a 21-year-old Lexington Park man driving a 2012 Dodge Ram 2500 pickup truck involved in the collision went to the sheriff’s office regarding the reported hit-and-run motor vehicle collision with a pedestrian. A sheriff’s spokesperson said that no charges were filed through the initial investigation, and that the name of the driver would not be released while the inquiry assisted by the state’s attorney’s office is ongoing.

A burial service for Clarke took place Tuesday at Holy Face Catholic Church in Great Mills. Clarke is survived by his wife, Lillian Raley, and children, Sonie Hubbard, Tabatha Bennett, Kristine Hubbard and Joshua Hubbard, as well as three siblings.

jyeatman@somdnews.com

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