Police ID Man Who Died After Alleged Hit-Skip

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- An alleged hit-and-run victim has died after police said he was involved in a two-vehicle crash, got out of his vehicle and was hit by the other driver.

NBC 4 reported with the FAST FACTS.

Columbus police and fire and Westerville fire were called to the area of Worthington-Galena Road at Worthington Woods Loop Road at about 7 a.m. on reports of a pedestrian struck.

Two males were involved in a two-vehicle crash on the city's Northeast Side Thursday morning, CPD Sgt. Rich Weiner said.

Weiner said the victim, who later was identified as 63-year-old Michael W. Griffith, got out of his vehicle after the crash and was struck by the other vehicle.

Witnesses said Griffith was struck by a gold 1994 Toyota 4 Runner with an Ohio license plate of EXU2679.

The involved vehicle left the scene, authorities said.

The suspect was found, police said, and is at St. Ann's Hospital being treated for a condition unrelated to the crash. The involved vehicle also was found.

Witnesses said it looked like the victim was dragged for a distance under the vehicle and the incident appeared to be purposeful. They said the motorists didn't stop or slow at all.

Nicole Carey was driving west on Worthington-Woods Boulevard when she spotted a light-colored SUV traveling toward her with what seemed to be a black plastic bag under its wheels.

After the vehicle went through the intersection and turned south on Worthington-Galena, Carey said she realized the material under the SUV was a male victim being dragged down the road.

"As he made the turn, the body kind of slid ...," she said.

Then Carey told police the SUV drove over the person and took off down Worthington-Galena Road.

Susie Llewellyn, another witness, told NBC 4 she thought the SUV hit a sign, but when she looked back she said she saw a person laying there.

Llewellyn was too worried about getting help for the victim to focus on the SUV or its plate.

"I just assumed they were going to stop," Llewellyn said.

"No matter what, they knew they hit something ... I'm ashamed that someone would run away like that," Llewellyn said.

Authorities restricted southbound traffic on Worthington Woods and closed the intersection of Worthington-Galena Road and Worthington Woods Boulevard during the investigation.

Griffith was transported to Riverside Methodist Hospital in serious condition. Witnesses said he suffered severe head trauma and had lost a lot of blood.

Griffith was pronounced dead at Riverside at 7:51 a.m.

Alcohol is suspected in the crash, Weiner said. Charges may be pending after further investigation.

The suspect has not been identified by police.

Griffith's death was the city's third traffic-fatality investigation of 2010.

INTERACTIVE LOCATION MAP

View Larger Map

For additional news and information, stay with NBC 4 and refresh nbc4i.com -- Where Accuracy Matters.
To submit a story idea or news tip, e-mail stories@nbc4i.com.
MORE: NBC 4 Local News | Local Crime News
NBC 4 SPORTS: Sports News, Video
NBC 4 POLITICS: Headlines, Interactives & Video