Pedestrian critical after Public Square hit-skip
Woman struck by silver Dodge truck Jan. 28
A pedestrian is reportedly in critical condition after being struck by a vehicle in the intersection of Court and Liberty streets on Public Square Jan. 28. Police are searching for the driver. Photo by KEVIN MCMANUS
MEDINA – Police are actively searching for the motorist who struck a pedestrian on Public Square and drove off the evening of Jan. 28.
A 59-year-old woman was transported by helicopter from Medina Hospital to MetroHealth Hospital in Cleveland after she was hit by an early-2000s, four-door, silver Dodge pickup truck at about 7:30 p.m.
Walking westbound, the woman was crossing Court Street toward Courthouse Pizzeria within the designated crosswalk while the “walk” signal was flashing as the truck made the left turn onto Court from Liberty Street.
Corner crosswalks on the square also include audible walk signals.
Medina Police reported the woman sustained a life-threatening head injury and was in critical condition that evening. Police had not yet received an updated status of the victim the morning of Jan. 30.
“How do you not stop?” acting-police-chief Lt. Dave Birckbichler asked. “We have some people who witnessed it, but unfortunately, none of them got a license plate number.”
Witnesses, including employees at nearby businesses, responded to the woman immediately and retrieved her from the roadway as first responders arrived minutes later.
Birckbichler said his officers are in the process of reviewing exterior security camera footage from a number of downtown businesses, as well as following up on leads.
“We have a list of every vehicle in the area matching that time frame, color and year range,” Birckbichler said. “It’s a pretty big list ... we’re hoping that somebody may have seen something to add to our investigation.”
Anyone with information about this case is encouraged to call Medina Police at 330-725-7777. The department plans to send out a press release if an arrest is made.
Despite heavy foot and vehicle traffic on the square, Birckbichler said these types of incidents are extremely rare in Medina.
Birckbichler recalled the time a pedestrian was struck and injured on the square in June 2014, though that incident was not a hit-and-run. A boy was able to recover from serious leg complications after he was struck by a vehicle at the intersection of Court and Washington on the square, a block south of where the recent incident occurred, thanks to quick thinking from a witness who provided first aid.
Birckbichler stressed that motorists should be alert and avoid distractions behind the wheel at all times, but especially in areas dense with pedestrians, like the square.
“Use the crosswalks as a pedestrian. We have the walk lights and signals. Cross with the lights and watch for traffic,” Birckbichler reminded residents.
A 59-year-old woman was transported by helicopter from Medina Hospital to MetroHealth Hospital in Cleveland after she was hit by an early-2000s, four-door, silver Dodge pickup truck at about 7:30 p.m.
Walking westbound, the woman was crossing Court Street toward Courthouse Pizzeria within the designated crosswalk while the “walk” signal was flashing as the truck made the left turn onto Court from Liberty Street.
Corner crosswalks on the square also include audible walk signals.
Medina Police reported the woman sustained a life-threatening head injury and was in critical condition that evening. Police had not yet received an updated status of the victim the morning of Jan. 30.
“How do you not stop?” acting-police-chief Lt. Dave Birckbichler asked. “We have some people who witnessed it, but unfortunately, none of them got a license plate number.”
Witnesses, including employees at nearby businesses, responded to the woman immediately and retrieved her from the roadway as first responders arrived minutes later.
Birckbichler said his officers are in the process of reviewing exterior security camera footage from a number of downtown businesses, as well as following up on leads.
“We have a list of every vehicle in the area matching that time frame, color and year range,” Birckbichler said. “It’s a pretty big list ... we’re hoping that somebody may have seen something to add to our investigation.”
Anyone with information about this case is encouraged to call Medina Police at 330-725-7777. The department plans to send out a press release if an arrest is made.
Despite heavy foot and vehicle traffic on the square, Birckbichler said these types of incidents are extremely rare in Medina.
Birckbichler recalled the time a pedestrian was struck and injured on the square in June 2014, though that incident was not a hit-and-run. A boy was able to recover from serious leg complications after he was struck by a vehicle at the intersection of Court and Washington on the square, a block south of where the recent incident occurred, thanks to quick thinking from a witness who provided first aid.
Birckbichler stressed that motorists should be alert and avoid distractions behind the wheel at all times, but especially in areas dense with pedestrians, like the square.
“Use the crosswalks as a pedestrian. We have the walk lights and signals. Cross with the lights and watch for traffic,” Birckbichler reminded residents.