Woman, 79, killed after dirt bike rider hit her on pedestrian path, authorities say

ANCHORAGE, Alaska (KTUU/Gray News) - A woman has died after she was hit by a dirt bike on a paved walking path earlier this week in Alaska.

Nadara Williams, 79, was walking with one of her best friends on Monday when the dirt bike hit her, Debbie Bitney, Williams’ daughter, said.

According to Bitney, her mother was born in Anchorage and had moved to the Big Lake area about three years ago.

“[She moved back] to be closer to family,” Bitney said. “She is active in her church and [with] her lady friends.”

Alaska State Troopers said the man that struck Williams was 19-year-old Brendan Clark.

He was issued a $100 fine for operating an off-highway vehicle in an area intended for pedestrians.

“We’re still actively investigating the circumstances that led to that tragic death at Big Lake,” Austin McDaniel, communications director for the Alaska State Troopers, said. “We are working closely with our partners at the district attorney’s office who ultimately make the decision on whether or not to pursue criminal charges on anything that we might refer to them.”

Troopers said that Clark was operating the dirt bike at a high rate of speed that day.

Williams’ daughter said that Clark stayed at the scene, and she had an opportunity to talk with him.

“He was extremely upset and sad and heartbroken over what had happened,” she said.

Bitney said she knows the investigation is ongoing but does not want to see Clark face additional charges.

“He made a really bad choice that ended really badly, but he’s forgiven,” she said. “My family forgives him for what happened, and we would like to see everyone show that kind of love out of something horrible. This is really all we can do now.”

When asked what she’d like to see come of this, Bitney said that she’d appreciate signage posted near where her mother was hit.

“I would like to see signs on the bike paths telling people that they shouldn’t have their motorized vehicles there. Then it would be clear, and he [Clark] may have made a different choice,” she said.

According to McDaniel, the law is clear, and signage is unnecessary.

“It’s one of those laws that every driver is expected to know, and every operator of an off-highway vehicle should know where they can legally operate an off-highway vehicle,” he said.

No matter the result of the investigation, Bitney said she is at peace with her decision to forgive Clark.

“I absolutely have forgiven him,” Bitney said. “And I would hope that he wouldn’t have to suffer any more as a result of what was a life-changing event for all of us.”