What began as an happy event at the Rosemont Grace Brethren Church, Martinsburg, W.Va., ended in tragedy Wednesday evening as a distracted driver veered across a parking lot and struck two men who were walking to the church’s annual Thanksgiving dinner.
Michael Cline and Patrick Lewis were walking to the church when they were struck by the car. Cline was pronounced dead at a local hospital, according to WV MetroNews. Lewis is recovering in the hospital with scrapes and bruises, according to Carl Baker, pastor of the Rosemont church. Police arrested the driver of the vehicle for revoked license and failure to keep right, according to WV MetroNews. (For more information, see Pedestrian killed in Martinsburg.)
“We are never guaranteed another moment,” Baker posted on his Facebook page this morning. “The time to trust Christ is NOW before it is eternally to late! NOTHING is more important than having your sins forgiven, having been paid for at the cross.”
The dinner went on after a time of prayer for the victims. Baker said there were about 70-75 people in attendance.
Both Cline and Lewis attended the church, where Lewis has been involved with videography and assisting with audio-visual needs.