A Birthday Turned Into Heartbreak
On what should have been a day of celebration, March 5, 2023, 35-year-old William Pettry—a firefighter with the Coal River Volunteer Fire Department in Raleigh County, West Virginia—experienced the unimaginable. Responding to a head-on collision on Coal River Road in Arnett, he discovered that the victims were his own wife, Sara Pettry, and his three-year-old daughter, Brooklyn.

Sara Pettry, 30, and Brooklyn Pettry, 3
Just moments before the crash, Sara and her three daughters, ages 3, 8, and 11, had stopped by the fire station to visit William. After leaving, they made it less than a mile down the road before the tragic collision occurred.
William’s personal loss struck the entire first responder community, where the pain of the job is rarely this close to home.
“We’re supposed to be professional. We’re supposed to do a job,” said Will Davis, Public Information Officer for the Beaver Volunteer Fire Department. “But none of us ever want to imagine that the scene we roll up on involves our family.”
The Firefighter Brotherhood Steps Up

The emotional weight of losing a spouse and child is difficult enough. But when that loss is shared within the tight-knit community of volunteer firefighters, the impact runs even deeper.
Within hours of the incident, fire departments across Raleigh County came together in a rare display of unity and compassion. According to Shane Wriston, President of the Raleigh County Firefighter’s Association, it was decided at their regular Monday meeting that every fire department in the county would contribute financially to support the Pettry family.
“The fire service in general is one big family,” Wriston said. “It doesn’t matter which department you’re in. When one of us is in need, we are all there to help out.”

This unified front brought emotional comfort to William and his extended family, as well as practical help in the form of donations and logistical support.
Beyond the Firehouse: A Town Responds

The wave of support extended far beyond fellow firefighters. Community members who didn’t know the Pettry family personally also stepped in, driven by empathy and a shared sense of heartbreak.
BobbiJo Miller, whose son works alongside William, started a GoFundMe campaign to assist with funeral expenses and other urgent needs. In less than 48 hours, more than $10,000 was raised.
“It just touched a heartstring that anybody in the community would have felt,” Miller shared. “It’s hard enough to bury one, let alone two of your family members.”
The outpouring of donations, meals, prayers, and messages made one thing clear: this tragedy, while deeply personal, had united an entire region in grief and solidarity.
The Power of Small Comforts
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While monetary support helps with immediate needs, it’s often the small gestures that carry the greatest weight.
As Joanne Pettry, a member of the Coal River Volunteer Fire Department and a relative of William’s, explained, “It’s a fantastic feeling to know when a tragedy like this happens within our department, we’ve got brothers and sisters behind us to help out.”
Public Information Officer Will Davis echoed that sentiment: “Sometimes it’s not money. Sometimes it’s prayers. Sometimes it’s food. Sometimes it’s hugging your own kids a little tighter.”
That communal mindset is deeply rooted in the culture of West Virginia—a state known for its resilience and community bonds.
The Survivors: A Family Still Healing
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Though Sara and Brooklyn tragically lost their lives in the crash, William’s two other daughters survived and were rushed to hospitals with injuries.
The oldest daughter underwent surgery for a broken collarbone and was later released from Raleigh General Hospital. The eight-year-old remains under medical observation at Charleston Area Medical Center (CAMC) as of the latest update.
The road to recovery for these two young girls is only just beginning. But thanks to the support system around them, they won’t be facing it alone.
Legal Developments in the Case
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Authorities later confirmed that 54-year-old Kevin Graybeal was taken into custody in connection with the crash. He faces multiple charges, including two counts of second-degree murder.
While legal proceedings continue, the Pettry family and the Raleigh County community are choosing to focus on healing and remembrance rather than retribution.
Honoring Sara and Brooklyn
Sara Pettry, 30, was described by friends and family as a dedicated mother and a warm, loving presence. Brooklyn, her three-year-old daughter, was known for her energy, laughter, and joy—traits that lit up the room wherever she went.
Their loss leaves behind a space that can never be filled. But their lives are now being honored through acts of generosity, remembrance, and community service.
“Sara and Brooklyn were more than names in a headline. They were cherished members of a community that now carries their memory forward,” one neighbor shared.
When Tragedy Brings Us Together
The story of the Pettry family is more than a tragic accident—it’s a profound reminder of the strength found in community, the importance of human connection, and the way ordinary people come together in extraordinary ways.
In the days following the accident, the narrative shifted from sorrow to solidarity. It became about what we do when one of our own is hurting. It became a demonstration of how humanity prevails when it matters most.
Final Thoughts: A Call to Compassion
As we reflect on this heartbreaking story, there are a few important lessons that rise to the surface.
First, never underestimate the impact of showing up for others.

Whether through donations, a home-cooked meal, or simply holding space for someone in grief, the smallest gestures can carry the most healing power.
Second, take time to appreciate the people in your life.

As Will Davis noted, sometimes the best thing we can do is hug our own children a little tighter and be grateful for each moment we have.
Third, remember that community is everything.

From volunteer firefighters to neighbors, family, and strangers, we all play a part in holding each other up when the unthinkable happens.
This is not just a story of loss—it’s a story of love, generosity, and the enduring strength of community. And in the spirit of West Virginia, it reminds us that even in our darkest hours, we don’t stand alone.