Family and friends are grappling with the sudden loss of a 44-year-old Brooklyn man following a fatal hit-and-run crash on an Ohio interstate early Friday morning.
Hua Zheng was pronounced dead at the scene on Interstate 71 in Morrow County after being struck by a vehicle that fled, according to the Ohio State Highway Patrol.
Details of the Tragic Sequence
Patrol investigators reported that the incident occurred around 1:42 a.m. in Harmony Township. Authorities stated that Zheng had been involved in an initial, separate two-vehicle collision and had pulled over to the side of the roadway.
While he was outside his vehicle, he was hit by another passing car. Investigators believe the suspect vehicle is a Chevrolet with noticeable front-end damage as a result of the crash. The driver did not stop.
Appeal for Public Assistance
The Ohio State Highway Patrol is actively investigating the case and is urging anyone with information to come forward.
“We are seeking the public’s help to locate this vehicle and identify the driver,” a patrol spokesperson said. “Any detail, no matter how small it may seem, could be crucial.”
Witnesses or individuals with information about a damaged Chevrolet are asked to contact the OSHP Mount Gilead Post at (740) 363-1392.
Multiple local agencies, including Morrow County EMS, the Big Walnut Joint Fire District, the Morrow County Sheriff’s Office, and the Morrow County Coroner’s Office, assisted at the scene.
A Life Remembered
The news of Zheng’s passing has sent waves of grief through his community in Brooklyn and among loved ones. Described as a valued and kind individual, his death has left a void for many.
Authorities continue to piece together the final moments leading to the crash. The investigation remains ongoing.