Fatal Hit-Skip Crash Under Investigation on I-71 in Morrow County; Public’s Help Requested
MOUNT GILEAD — The Mount Gilead Post of the Ohio State Highway Patrol is actively investigating a fatal hit-skip crash involving a pedestrian early Thursday morning on Interstate 71 in Morrow County and is asking for the public’s assistance in locating the vehicle involved.
According to the Patrol, the crash occurred at approximately 1:42 a.m. on Interstate 71 northbound between exits 140 and 151 in Harmony Township. Troopers say a pedestrian was struck along the left shoulder of the highway by an unidentified vehicle that fled the scene.
The victim has been identified as Hua Zheng, 44, of Brooklyn, New York. Investigators determined that Zheng had been involved in a separate two-vehicle crash prior to the fatal incident and had stopped along the roadway. While outside his vehicle, Zheng was struck by a passing vehicle believed to be a Chevrolet with front-end damage. The vehicle did not stop following the crash.
Zheng was pronounced deceased at the scene.
The incident remains under investigation, and the Ohio State Highway Patrol is urging anyone who may have witnessed the crash or has information regarding a vehicle matching the description to contact the Mount Gilead Post at (740) 363-1392.
Multiple agencies assisted at the scene, including Morrow County EMS, Big Walnut Joint Fire District, the Morrow County Sheriff’s Office, and the Morrow County Coroner’s Office.
Further details will be released as the investigation continues.
