BERLIN, Md.- Friends have organized a fundraiser for the wife and infant daughter of a Berlin man and cast member of the reality show "Wicked Tuna: Outer Banks," who died following a Saturday afternoon car crash in Salisbury.
William Joseph Hathaway, aka "Willbilly," was 36-years-old at the time of his death, according to Maryland State Police, who investigated the crash.
Shortly after 4 p.m. Saturday, the MSP Salisbury Barrack received a call from a concerned citizen who passed a truck in a ditch on Old Ocean City Road. Several 911 calls followed after the first one.
Investigators said the driver of the Toyota, identified as Hathaway, allegedly called his wife and told her he was OK but that someone turned in front of him and he had to swerve into a ditch. Hathaway's wife also allegedly heard him say that he was OK to concerned citizens that stopped to check on him, according to police.
By the time EMS and troopers arrived, Williams was not breathing and slumped over the center console. He was immediately transported to Peninsula Regional Medical Center where he was pronounced dead. There was no airbag deployment, according to investigators.
Minimal damage was sustained by the Toyota, and it does not appear consistent with the driver suffering deadly injuries, according to police. Police are continuing to investigate the incident.
Hathaway, who was a crew member of the Ocean City-based "Foolish Pleasures," appeared with his fellow crew members on the National Geographic Channel's reality show "Wicked Tuna: Outer Banks."
Following news of his death, members of the Ocean City fishing community have set up a Facebook fundraising page to assist Hathaway's wife, Mary, and newborn daughter, Molly.
The Facebook page says of Hathaway, "He was an exceptional human being whose passion was the sea. He always brightened the day of anyone he met. His wife and new born baby girl he was most proud of. Due to his untimely death we are asking for donations to help them stay on their feet while trying to survive this tragedy."
As of Monday morning, more than $47,500 of the $250,000 fundraising goal had been reached.
appeared in the reality show
On December 15 Mary’s husband William Joseph Hathaway a.k.a Willbilly , passed away suddenly in a car accident. He was an exceptional human being whose passion was the sea. He always brightened the day of anyone he met. His wife and new born baby girl he was most proud of. Due to his untimely death we are asking for donations to help them stay on their feet while trying to survive this tragedy. Thank you in advance. The Ocean City Fishing Community
On December 15 Mary’s husband William Joseph Hathaway a.k.a Willbilly , passed away suddenly in a car accident. He was an exceptional human being whose passion was the sea. He always brightened the day of anyone he met. His wife and new born baby girl he was most proud of. Due to his untimely death we are asking for donations to help them stay on their feet while trying to survive this tragedy. Thank you in advance. The Ocean City Fishing Community
“Our good friend Will Hathaway AKA "Willbilly" who has been seen on Wicked Tuna Outer Banks passed away suddenly in a car accidentyesterday evening. Will was a local guy, an incredible fisherman and one of the nicest people you could ever meet. He is survived by his wife and new baby girl. Donate if you can to help out....he will be sorely missed.”