William Charles Clark, 15, Drinking Related Death

William Charles Clark was found dead under the Boone River Bridge In Webster County, Iowa.  He was 15.  He and his buddies had gotten drunk, and Clark apparently fell to his death.

      An investigator thinks adults provided alcohol to a group of teenagers partying on a weekend night near a Webster County bridge where a 15-year-old Ames boy was found dead the following day. 

Webster County Sheriff Detective Kevin Kruse has interviewed witnesses who were at a party with William Charles Clark who was found dead under the Boone River Bridge at 4:38 p.m. Feb. 5.   

Kruse's investigation has been slowed by witnesses unwilling to come forward to talk about Clark's death.  Some told Kruse they received threatening notes. Kruse suspects that the adults who provided the alcohol put pressure on witnesses to remain silent.      "It's getting touchy," he said.     

Clark's cause of death is pending an autopsy report and results of toxicology tests conducted by the state medical examiner's office. Kruse is confident the investigation will end soon.  "Not that we'll have all the answers," he said. "In this type of situation, we'll never have all of the answers."   Clark's death was ruled accidental by law enforcement.

Kruse does not suspect foul play but believes there were people present when Clark fell from the bridge, located about 2 miles north of Stratford.     Clark was a freshman at Ames High School. He had transferred from Gilbert High School in January.  A passerby notified Webster County officials of a possible body in the river on Feb. 5. Clark's body was recovered by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources and Webster County Sheriff officials.

Kruse said he has had little contact with Clark's parents, William Clark of Gilbert and Sheri Clark of Ames.   Court records show Clark was charged with fifth-degree theft and possession of drug paraphernalia on Nov. 13, 2004. He received one-year probation from Judge Victor Lathrop on Jan. 7. In September 2004, Clark was charged and fined for possession of tobacco.

In all cases, my deepest condolences to family and friends.

Underage Alcohol Deaths 2004
Underage Alcohol Deaths 2005
Underage Alcohol Deaths 2006

Signs of Alcohol Poisoning

Alcohol depresses nerves that control involuntary actions such as breathing, the heartbeat and the gag reflex that prevents choking. A fatal dose of alcohol will eventually stop these functions. After the victim stops drinking, the heart keeps beating, and the alcohol in the stomach continues to enter the bloodstream and circulate through the system. The victim may experience the following:

• Mental confusion, stupor, coma, unable to rouse the person
• No response to pinching the skin
• Vomiting while sleeping or unresponsive
• Seizures
• Slowed breathing  (fewer than 8 breaths per minute)
• Irregular breathing (10 seconds or more between breaths)
• Hypothermia (low body temperature), bluish skin color, paleness

Alcohol Poisoning Requires Immediate Medical Attention

Alcohol Poisoning Cannot Be Reversed By:

• Drinking black coffee
• Taking a cold bath or shower
• Walking it off

The victim must have immediate medical attention.
Call 911, stay with the victim to prevent him choking on vomit, and tell emergency personnel how much alcohol the victim drank.

These Children Died of Alcohol Overdose, So Their Parents Started Foundations:

Taylor Webster's memorial foundation.  Taylor died of alcohol  poisoning at age 19-- Now his family and friends are working  to get the message out, telling their stories and providing  information on alcohol poisoning and the signs and symtoms  of alcohol poisoning in hopes that lives will be saved.

Bradley McCue's memorial foundation.  On November 5, 1998  Bradley turned 21. . He celebrated  his birthday in a way that has become increasingly popular, drinking "his  age in shots". That amount of alcohol was lethal and he died  that night of alcohol poisoning.

Samantha Spady's memorial foundation. A 19-year old student at Colorado State University, Spady died of alcohol poisoning on September 5, 2004, "an unintentional tragedy."  The Spadys say the SAM [Student Alcohol Management] Spady Foundation will develop peer-to-peer counseling and other services meant to reduce the risk of alcohol abuse.

Gordie Bailey's memorial foundation Mission: to provide today’s youth with the skills to navigate the dangers of alcohol, and through education and promotion of self worth prevent alcohol poisoning, binge drinking and hazing. 

Kimberly Ostien's memorial foundation: "With binge drinking on the rise, we feel it necessary to get the message out on the danger of alcohol, especially excessive alcohol consumed in a short period of time.  Students are educated on drugs and alcohol but they will continue to experiment no matter what.  We want to educate on what to do when a friend falls down or passes out from drinking.  Often we want to put that person to bed to sleep it off and that is when the trouble can begin."  The card lists the information, above.

Comments

[Caitlyn]

My name is Caitlyn. I met Billy (william) and liked him a lot for the months before his death. I love you Billy

[Kristina Keigley]

My name is Kristina and yea I was really good friends with Billy. I hung out with him a lot last summer..he was seriously the coolest guy I have ever met and I will love him forever and ever.

[Julie]

I miss you Billy!!!

[Kallie Cordes]

Wow...this is crazy..this little page about Billy..I have to say..that Billy did some crazy things..but those things don't matter..because I love him and miss him anyways...no matter what anyone says..BILLY ROCKS!!~Kallie Cordes

[Caitlyn Hawkins]

Writing another message: Whats sad about this whole thing as that no one really truly knows what happened. Not even the people there truly know. Let it be a lesson to all the people out there affected by billys death that it could happen to anyone.

[Kallie Cordes]

It's been so long since this happened, but it's all fresh in my world...I miss him just as much as I did the moment I found out...I love u Billy

[Ally]

:(

[Brittany]

Billy has been gone for 4 years now and he will never be forgotten. He was my best friend for years and he is missed a lot!! He was the most outgoing guy i ever met and i loved him! To everyone that knew Billy a little or a lot. He loved us all even if he didn't always show it! I miss him more everyday and I know others do too!

[William D. Clark]

The people that were there and watched him die in the river shame on you!!!!

[Kallie Cordes]

Billy, its been year since you left, and I miss you and and love you just the same. I think about you often and still wish that those people that were there with you that night, hadn't been so heartless and selfish, and would have done something different, you could still be here with us.