UPDATE (February 23, 2023):
A man that was hit and killed by an SUV early Sunday morning has been identified. The coroner says that 28-year-old Andrew Follett was hit on the 4200 block of Trier Road just after 3 a.m. Follett was pronounced dead at the scene. The man behind the wheel of the SUV that hit him had taken off.
Police were able to find the driver later on Sunday and he was arrested.
The coroner says that his death was ruled accidental and the cause is “Multiple Blunt Force Injuries due to Pedestrian Versus Motor Vehicle Crash”.
The following was released by the Allen County Coroner’s Office:
The Allen County Coroner’s Office has identified, and made notifications to the next of kin of the deceased individual that was involved in a motor vehicle crash in the 4200 block of Trier Road, Fort Wayne, Allen County, Indiana, at about 03:08 hours, Sunday, February 19, 2023. He has been positively identified as Andrew William Follett, male, white, age 28, of Fort Wayne, Indiana. Mr. Follett was a pedestrian that as struck by a motor vehicle that left the scene of the crash. Mr. Follett was pronounced deceased at the scene by Fort Wayne Fire Department.
Andrew William Follett’s Cause of Death is Multiple Blunt Force Injuries due to Pedestrian Versus Motor Vehicle Crash, and the Manner of Death is Accident Andrew William Follett is the 5th traffic fatality for Fort Wayne and Allen County in 2023. The incident remains under investigation by the Fort Wayne Police Department, the Allen County Prosecutor’s Office and the Allen County Coroner’s Office.
ORIGINAL STORY:
FORT WAYNE, Ind. (ADAMS) – Police say they have made an arrest in a fatal hit and run that happened early Sunday morning. Joshua H. Reid is believed to be the driver of an SUV that hit a pedestrian at Trier Rd. and Wyandotte Dr. around 3 a.m.
Witnesses reported seeing a victim lying in the roadway. And police concluded that a Ford SUV took off after hitting the man.
He was pronounced dead at the scene. Police say Reid’s SUV was located in front of a residence on Stonehedge Boulevard.
Joshua Reid is charged with a felony count of leaving the scene of a fatal crash.
FWPD officials released the following after Reid’s arrest:
On Sunday, 2/19/23 at approximately 3:08 am the FWPD responded to the intersection of Trier Rd. and Wyandotte Dr. reference a man down. Preliminary information indicates the pedestrian victim was stuck by a vehicle. The suspect vehicle fled the scene of the fatal crash. The suspect vehicle was located parked in front of a residence on the 5100 block of Stonehedge Blvd. Joshua H. Reid was arrested in connection with this investigation.
Suspect Arrested #1: Joshua H. Reid, 27 years of age
Preliminary Charges: Leaving the Scene of a Crash-Fatal (Felony)
Prior to his arrest, the Fort Wayne Police Department released the following about the hit and run:
On Sunday, 02/19/2023, at approximately 3:08 AM, the City of Fort Wayne Police Department responded to the intersection of Trier Road and Wyandotte Drive reference a man down. A witness reported a subject was lying in the middle of the roadway. The victim was unconscious and unresponsive when officers arrived. Paramedics pronounced the adult/male victim deceased at the scene.
Preliminary information indicates the pedestrian victim was struck by a vehicle. The suspect vehicle fled the scene of the fatal crash. Evidence suggests the suspect vehicle is possibly a Ford SUV with damage to the driver’s side headlight area. Officers are canvassing the area in an effort to locate residences that have video surveillance. Investigators are asking anyone that witnessed this crash or has additional information to contact the Fort Wayne Police Department or use the free “P3 Tips” app.
This incident remains under investigation by the City of Fort Wayne Police Department, the Allen County Coroner’s Office, and the Allen County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office. The Allen County Coroner’s Office will release the cause of death and the victim’s identity.