MOUNT GILEAD – The Mount Gilead Post of the Ohio State Highway Patrol is asking for the public’s assistance in locating a vehicle, likely a Chevrolet with front-end damage, involved in a fatal hit-skip crash with a pedestrian early Friday morning.
The crash occurred on Interstate 71 north, between exits 140–151 in Harmony Township in Morrow County at 1:42 a.m.
The preliminary investigation revealed that a deceased pedestrian, identified as Hua Zheng, 44, Brooklyn, New York, was located along the left shoulder of Interstate 71 north.
Investigators determined that Zheng had been struck by an unidentified vehicle, which fled the scene following the impact.
Prior to this incident, Zheng had been involved in a separate two-vehicle crash and had stopped along the roadway. He was outside his own vehicle when he was struck by the fleeing vehicle. Zheng was pronounced deceased at the scene.
The incident remains under investigation. Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the Patrol at 740-363-1392.
The Ohio State Highway Patrol was assisted on scene by Morrow County EMS, Big Walnut Joint Fire District, Morrow County Sheriff’s Office and Morrow County Coroner’s Office.