On a cold Tuesday night in Pittsfield, William S. Colbert, 69, was fatally struck and dragged by a car after he was hit near Linden Street and Francis Avenue. The crash happened late, between 11:33 p.m. and 11:49 p.m., when Colbert was walking along a quiet stretch of road. He was trapped under the vehicle and dragged for nearly four miles through the city before stopping near West Housatonic Street, close to the Best Western hotel. The driver never stopped. Law enforcement found Colbert’s body there, and he was pronounced dead at the scene.
Police describe the suspect vehicle as a dark-colored sedan, possibly a Toyota or Honda, based on preliminary evidence and a few bits of surveillance footage shared by residents. Officers are still piecing together the exact route the car took after the impact, but believe it traveled through several nearby streets, including Robbins Avenue, Daniels Avenue, Columbus Avenue, Onota Street and South Merriam Street before ending up on West Housatonic Street.
Investigators with the Pittsfield Police Department and the Berkshire District Attorney’s Office are urging anyone who was in the area that night, or has home surveillance cameras facing the street, to check their footage around the time of the crash. They hope to trace the suspect’s path and vehicle more precisely, and bring answers to Colbert’s family and the community.
Friends and neighbors remember Colbert as a gentle, quiet man who was a familiar face in the neighborhood. Some who knew him spoke of his kindness and the small gestures he showed to others on his daily walks. His death has left a hole in the community, a reminder of how quickly life can turn on a single moment.
Police have set up a hotline and email contact for tips and evidence, and continue to investigate this tragic incident as a hit-and-run fatality. Officials stress that anyone with information, no matter how small, could be the key to solving the case.
There are no arrests yet, and the investigation is ongoing. As the search for the hit-and-run driver continues, Colbert’s family is asking for privacy but also urging anyone with information to speak up so justice can be served.
