Executive Summary
- Victim Identified: OSHP identified the deceased bicyclist as 21-year-old Jeffrey Hillard of Warren, Ohio.
- Incident Details: The fatal hit-and-run occurred on Main Avenue extension involving a white sedan.
- Suspect Located: Investigators have identified the driver and located the vehicle involved, though names remain withheld.
- Safety Note: Officials reported the victim was not wearing a helmet at the time of the collision.
WARREN TWP., Ohio – Authorities have identified the bicyclist killed in a hit-and-run collision Thursday morning in Warren Township, confirming that a suspect vehicle has been located following the fatal incident. The Ohio State Highway Patrol (OSHP) named the victim as 21-year-old Jeffrey Hillard of Warren.
According to OSHP investigators, the crash occurred just after 11:00 a.m. on the Main Avenue extension. Reports indicate that Hillard was cycling when he was struck by a white four-door sedan. The force of the impact propelled both the cyclist and his bicycle off the east side of the roadway. Investigators stated that the driver of the sedan fled the scene immediately following the collision.
First responders arrived at the location, but Hillard succumbed to his injuries at the scene. OSHP officials noted that the victim was not wearing a helmet or protective gear at the time of the crash. Following an initial investigation, troopers successfully located and identified both the suspect vehicle and the alleged driver. As of the latest update, authorities have not publicly released the identity of the driver pending further investigative steps.
Investigative Outlook
The swift location of the suspect vehicle marks a critical pivot in this case from a search operation to a prosecutorial assessment. In Ohio, leaving the scene of an accident resulting in death is a serious felony offense. The withholding of the driver’s identity suggests that formal charges may be pending review by the Trumbull County Prosecutor’s Office. Investigators will likely focus on reconstructing the crash dynamics to determine factors such as speed, distraction, or impairment, which will influence the severity of potential charges filed against the motorist.
It is important to note that all individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
