YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio — Authorities have identified the victim of a fatal hit-skip crash on Youngstown’s South Side as 53-year-old Joseph Novacich, according to a statement released Tuesday by the Mahoning County Coroner’s Office.
The crash happened around 10:30 a.m. Monday near Loveland Road and Pointview Avenue. Initial reports indicated someone might be trapped, but when firefighters arrived, they found a pedestrian who had been struck by an SUV. Novacich was pronounced dead at the scene.
Security footage from a nearby business showed the victim attempting to move out of the way as the vehicle sped toward him. He was thrown several feet, and the SUV came to a stop two houses down before the driver backed up and fled the area. Witnesses described the vehicle as heavily damaged.
One suspect was arrested approximately a mile away from the crash site, though police have not yet confirmed the driver’s identity or announced any charges.
“This poor guy was just walking, enjoying the day, and now he’s gone,” said witness TJ Elmo. “You just never know when your time is up.”
The Youngstown Police Department and Mahoning County Coroner’s Office continue to investigate the incident.