Liliia Hrushka Car Accident; Liliia Hrushka Passes Away In Fatal Jefferson Boulevard Crash
The St. Joseph County Prosecutor’s Office has confirmed that the Fatal Crash Team (FACT) has been activated following a tragic hit-and-run accident involving a pedestrian early Monday morning.
Authorities were called to the 10200 block of Jefferson Boulevard at approximately 6:09 a.m. after receiving reports of a serious collision between a vehicle and a pedestrian.
Upon arrival, officers found an unresponsive man lying in the roadway, appearing to have sustained severe injuries consistent with being struck by a vehicle. Emergency medical personnel responded swiftly and rendered aid at the scene.
The victim, who was later identified as a 31-year-old man from Washington D.C., was reported to be in grave condition. He was immediately transported to a local hospital for emergency treatment.
Sadly, despite the efforts of first responders and medical staff, the man succumbed to his injuries later in the day. The initial investigation determined that the man had been walking eastbound along Jefferson Boulevard when he was hit by a vehicle traveling in the same direction.
Witnesses reported that the vehicle involved in the crash did not stop at the scene. In accordance with protocol in cases of fatal traffic accidents, the St. Joseph County Fatal Crash Team was called in to take over the investigation.
FACT specializes in the detailed reconstruction of crashes and investigates all incidents involving serious or fatal injuries within the county. Later in the day, investigators were able to identify the driver of the vehicle involved in the crash.
The driver has been named as 18-year-old Liliia Hrushka of Goshen. According to authorities, Hrushka did not sustain any physical injuries in the crash. After being located by law enforcement, she is now fully cooperating with investigators as they work to determine the full circumstances surrounding the incident.
At this time, police have not commented on whether drugs, alcohol, speed, or distraction played a role in the crash. It is also unclear whether the pedestrian was walking in a marked crosswalk or on the shoulder of the road at the time he was struck.
Investigators with FACT will continue to gather evidence, interview witnesses, and review surveillance footage from the area to piece together the sequence of events that led to the collision.
The identity of the victim has not yet been released to the public, pending notification of his next of kin. Community members who live near the crash site have expressed concern about pedestrian safety along Jefferson Boulevard, citing past incidents and a lack of proper sidewalks or lighting in certain stretches of the road.
As the investigation remains active, the St. Joseph County Prosecutor’s Office has stated that no charges have been filed at this time. Prosecutors will review the findings from FACT once the investigation is complete to determine whether any criminal charges will be pursued in connection with the crash.
Anyone with additional information, dashcam footage, or who may have witnessed the incident is encouraged to contact the St. Joseph County FACT team or local law enforcement. Authorities stress the importance of public assistance in helping bring clarity and accountability in tragic cases such as this.
This heartbreaking incident serves as a somber reminder of the dangers pedestrians face and the responsibilities drivers hold when behind the wheel. The community mourns the loss of a life cut short, while investigators continue their efforts to uncover the truth behind Monday morning’s deadly crash.
