20-year-old killed in hit-and-run near Lawrence. Here’s what we know
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Douglas County seeks public help to ID driver in fatal hit-and-run north of Lawrence.
- Victim, a 20-year-old woman, was struck while running; deputies found her deceased.
- Investigators released camera image of a light truck and ask witnesses to call tips.
A 20-year-old Lawrence woman is dead after a hit-and-run crash on Thursday, according to the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office.
Authorities have not yet identified the victim or indicated whether she was a University of Kansas student.
The sheriff’s office is seeking the public’s help in identifying the suspected driver, who they say drove away after striking the woman just north of Lawrence in the 1700 block of East 1500 Road Thursday evening.
“A passerby notified dispatchers at 3:35 a.m. Friday, upon finding a person near the road. When deputies responded, they determined the person had died,” sheriff’s office spokesperson George Diepenbrock said in an email Friday afternoon.
Diepenbrock said deputies determined the woman was struck around 6 p.m. Thursday.
“Deputies believe she had been running in the area before she was struck by a vehicle,” he said. “Pending notification of family members, further details will not be released at this time.”
Diepenbrock declined to say whether the victim was a KU student.
Capt. Jack Campbell with the KU Police Department said Friday afternoon that he had no information about a student going missing or being injured.
Diepenbrock said investigators are following leads about the suspected driver of the vehicle involved in the fatal crash.
He provided an image of a white or light-colored truck captured on camera Thursday evening.
The sheriff’s office is asking anyone who might have been in the area between 5:45 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. on Thursday and has potential information to call Det. Lance Flachsbarth, 785-393-5845, or Douglas County Crime Stoppers, 785-843-TIPS (8477), and leave their contact information.
