UPDATE 7/23 @ 6:15 a.m.
FAYETTE COUNTY, W.Va. (WSAZ) -- West Virginia State Police have released the name of a courtesy patrol officer hit and killed by a car early Sunday morning.

Wyatt Harris, 59, of Coal City, was killed after being struck by a vehicle while helping a stranded motorist on the side of the road.

The West Virginia State Police said that the driver of the vehicle which struck the patrolman may have fallen asleep at the wheel, according to the preliminary investigation. However, the investigation is ongoing.

The accident happened at about 2 a.m. along the West Virginia Turnpike near mile marker 50 which is close to Pax, West Virginia.

The courtesy patrol officer was helping a stranded motorist on the side of the road when he was hit by the other vehicle.

The West Virginia State Police said that the driver of the vehicle which struck the patrolman may have fallen asleep at the wheel, according to the preliminary investigation. However, the investigation is ongoing.

The name of the victim has not been released, although state police say it was a man in his late 50’s or early 60’s.

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It happened about 2 a.m. Sunday near the Pax exit on Interstate 77.

According to Sgt. Michael Baylous with the West Virginia State Police, the victim was helping a stranded motrists when the driver of a passing car fell asleep and struck the officer. Sgt. Baylous says that's the findings of a preliminary investigation.

Troopers are not releasing the victim's name at this time, and continue to investigate the accident.