Pedestrian Killed In Hit-And-Run Crash In Washington County
CANTON TOWNSHIP, Pa. (KDKA) - A pedestrian was killed in Washington County in a hit-and-run crash early Wednesday morning.
According to state police, the victim, identified by the coroner as 19-year-old Justin Gilbert, was killed and the driver fled the scene.
State police say 40-year-old Jessica Vanderlee was the one who hit and killed Gilbert and then left the scene. She was charged with accidents involving death or personal injury and failing to stop, give information or render aid.
Police say Gilbert was walking down West Chestnut Street when he was hit near the Foodland grocery store around 4 a.m.
His sister Shiona Gilbert and family members went to the site with flowers to honor and remember Justin.
"(He was) funny, crazy, very outspoken, sociable. Just funny. We liked partying together, having brother-sister time," she said.
Shiona says they're from Aliquippa but Justin lived in Washington. She doesn't know why or where he was walking to, but she wants justice for him.
So do other local residents.
"Just try to face up with what happened and do the thing that's best for the kid's family," said Margie Abbas, who lives in Washington.
Residents say drivers speed on West Chestnut Street all the time and accidents like this could be avoided.
"It's sad," said Washington resident Angel Thomas. "This roadway here is a speedway. There's no street lights. You have a bunch of walkers that are walking to and from work. People don't pay attention."
"Certain people speed, certain people watch," said Abbas. "If it's 35, you go 35. You don't go 50. That would help. But, it's very sad."
Shiona hopes police find the suspect soon. As for her little brother, she says Justin is with their mother now.
"She passed away last year actually a couple of days from now, Sept. 26," said Shiona.