A 63-year-old man, identified as Todd Howard of Parma Heights, tragically lost his life early Thursday morning after being hit by several vehicles and dragged nearly a mile in Cleveland’s Stockyards neighborhood, according to Cleveland Police.
How the Incident Happened
Police reports state that the incident occurred around 5:25 a.m. as Howard was attempting to cross Denison Avenue at Ridge Road. Investigators say he was walking north in the crosswalk, but was crossing against a red signal, and the vehicle that first struck him had a green light.
Following the initial impact, Howard was struck by two more vehicles, none of which stopped. A fourth vehicle unknowingly struck him again and dragged his body nearly a mile away, eventually coming to a stop at the intersection of West Boulevard and Lorain Avenue.
It was only then that the driver realized what had happened and contacted the authorities.
Victim Pronounced Dead at the Scene
Emergency responders arrived at the scene and pronounced Howard dead. The exact moment of his death is still being determined, but police have confirmed that the series of collisions and being dragged contributed to the fatal outcome.
Investigation Ongoing
Cleveland Police continue to investigate the incident, including reviewing traffic camera footage and attempting to identify the drivers of the vehicles who failed to stop. No charges have been filed yet, and authorities are asking witnesses to come forward with any information.
This tragic case underscores the dangers of early morning driving conditions and pedestrian safety. It also raises important questions about driver responsibility, especially in hit-and-run scenarios.
