A 20-year-old Finneytown man was struck and killed while crossing a North College Hill street early this week, and the driver who hit him has not been found. Rony Vasquez Cardona was crossing West Galbraith Road at Noble Avenue when an eastbound vehicle struck him, according to the Hamilton County Sheriff's Office. First responders pronounced him dead at the scene.
The vehicle involved is described as a black 2012 Dodge, and it left the crash scene after the collision, according to WKRC. Investigators believe speed was a factor in the crash, the station reports, though authorities have not released any information identifying the driver. The search for the vehicle continues.
Vasquez Cardona worked at Old World Bakery, a business listed in a business profile at the linked address, per SinglePlatform. That workplace sits along the same stretch of West Galbraith Road where the fatal crash occurred, placing the victim's job and the site of his death on the same commercial corridor.
Sheriff's Traffic Unit Takes Over Investigation
North College Hill police requested assistance from the Hamilton County Sheriff's Office Traffic Safety Unit, which is now handling the investigation, the station's report notes. For background, the article also cites the Greater Cincinnati Police Museum.
The North College Hill Police Department is listed on the City of North College Hill website. West Galbraith Road runs through the municipality, per Wikipedia.
Felony Exposure Once Driver Is Found
Ohio law requires any driver involved in a collision to stop immediately and provide identifying information, and leaving the scene of a crash that results in a death is elevated to a felony carrying a mandatory license suspension under Ohio Revised Code § 4549.02, according to Ohio Laws. Ohio Revised Code § 2903.06 addresses aggravated vehicular homicide, per Zukerman Law.
Traffic Safety in Hamilton County
The crash draws attention to traffic safety in Hamilton County.
Pedestrian safety is also part of the discussion. The article also discusses pedestrian safety.
The article also links to a Hoodline report. Anyone with information about the black 2012 Dodge or the driver involved in Vasquez Cardona's death is urged to contact the Hamilton County Sheriff's Office Traffic Safety Unit.
