Driver Wanted After Woman Hit By Car Found Dead On New Hampshire Highway

NASHUA, NH (CBS) - New Hampshire State Police are looking for the driver who hit a woman on a highway in Nashua and didn't stop. The woman died.

The woman, identified as 68-year-old Juliette Koss of Nashua, fell or collapsed on the southbound side of the Everett Turnpike just after 7 p.m. Wednesday.

It was a horrifying scene in the middle of the highway, and now friends of 68-year-old Juliette Koss are trying to figure out why she was on the busy Everett Turnpike.

"She's a sweetheart, she was wonderful to everybody in here," said friend Mike McMahon.

Juliette Koss (Courtesy photo)

The friends say she was a resident at the Greenbriar Healthcare facility in Nashua, New Hampshire, and they last saw her last night outside.

"We said we were going in, and she said okay, and that's the last time we saw her," said Sheri LaLiberte.

State police received a call about a woman appearing confused walking from the off-ramp to the highway southbound near exit four. By the time troopers could respond she was struck and killed and police say the driver never stopped.

NH State Police shut down the southbound side of the Everett Turnpike after the woman was hit Wednesday. (WBZ-TV)

"The witnesses tell us it was a chevy, either tan or light-colored SUV midsize or full size. That's where we need the public's help," said trooper Thomas Lencki of Troop B.

Residents say they are allowed to check themselves in and out at Greenbriar, and the victim, known as Julie, often went to a nearby convenience store.

"How do you check on everybody in the place that's understaffed?" said McMahon.

Staffing levels is one issue the state has investigated at Greenbriar.  The New Hampshire Department of Health Human Services says it is trying to determine if the facility is in compliance with regulations from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services as a result of this incident.

"If citations are found, a deficiency report will be made publicly available."

State police say the vehicle they are looking for should have front end bumper damage.  They won't comment on potential charges saying only that they are looking at everything as they piece together what happened.

Anyone with information is asked to call State Police at 603-223-8993.

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