ELYRIA — Elyria police are investigating a fatal pedestrian crash that occurred Friday evening along West River Road North.
According to the Elyria Police Department, officers were dispatched at approximately 7:30 p.m. Saturday after receiving a report of an unresponsive woman lying in the snow near the tree lawn in the 6700 block of West River Road North. Elyria Fire Department and LifeCare Ambulance personnel also responded.
First responders located an adult female who was pronounced deceased at the scene. The Lorain County Coroner’s Office was contacted and responded to assist with the investigation.
Police said initial observations of the scene and the injuries sustained by the woman were consistent with her having been struck by a motor vehicle. Surveillance video obtained from a nearby residence confirmed that the victim had been hit by a vehicle.
Investigators identified the involved vehicle as a maroon Ford Escape, which was later located at a residence in Lorain. Elyria police detectives and crash investigators were called in to continue the investigation.
A search warrant for the vehicle and the associated residence was obtained and executed at approximately 11:35 p.m. Investigators seized the vehicle and interviewed an adult male who admitted to operating the vehicle in the area around the time of the crash. According to police, the driver indicated he believed he had struck a deer.
The vehicle and additional evidence were collected for further analysis. Police stated that alcohol and drugs are not suspected as contributing factors at this time. The investigation remains active, and no charges have been filed. Criminal charges are anticipated pending the outcome of the investigation.
The names of those involved have not been released. Additional information will be provided as it becomes available.