The community of Northfield Center Township is grappling with tragedy following a fatal hit-and-run that claimed the life of an 84-year-old woman. The Summit County Sheriff's Office has charged 35-year-old Joseph Zolnowski, from Parma, with leaving the scene of the accident, a third-degree felony. According to the Akron Beacon Journal, Zolnowski turned himself in the day after the incident around 8 p.m. on Tuesday.
The victim, identified as Elizabeth Rock, was making her way from St. Barnabus Church, where she had attended her granddaughter's Christmas concert. Witnesses at the scene rendered aid until emergency services arrived, as reported by Cleveland19. Rock was then transported to MetroHealth Medical Center in Cleveland, where she was later pronounced dead.
A blue Ford Explorer, reported to be involved in the accident, was captured by surveillance cameras fleeing the scene. Following Zolnowski's surrender, investigators are still considering additional charges as the inquiry proceeds. The information was confirmed by News 5 Cleveland, highlighting the ongoing nature of the case.
In the wake of the accident, residents expressed concern about road safety, particularly the speed of vehicles on Olde 8 Road, which lacks speed restrictions during after-school events. "I walk to CVS, I walk to Crossroads up the street and you’ve just got to be so careful. I’ve watched so many people on their phones or just not paying attention," said neighbor David Boehm in an interview obtained by News 5 Cleveland. The community's heartache is compounded by the timing of the incident, just a week before Christmas, impacting the victim's family and the community at large.
Calls have been made for drivers and pedestrians to exercise increased caution on the busy street. Macedonia Assistant Fire Chief Paul Celinski advised, according to News 5 Cleveland, "The best thing is if you see a group of people or a large assembly of cars on the side of the road, you need to slow down and use caution." The Summit County Sheriff's Office is asking anyone with further information about the case to reach out as they continue investigating the circumstances surrounding the tragic event.
