UPDATE, 10:28 a.m.: State troopers are trying to determine what caused the fatal hit-and-run crash Thursday night in Warren County that claimed the life of 18-year-old Skyler P. Ludington of Shelby County.
The driver suspected in the crash, Robert C. Pietrantonio, 55, was found at his home nearby off Yankee Road in Washington Twp., Sgt.James Sparkman of the Ohio Highway Patrol said this morning.
“He thought he hit a deer and continued on,” Sparkman said. “He didn’t go very far.”
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Investigators are working to determine if alcohol was a factor in the accident, seeking results of blood-alcohol tests for Pietrantonio.
They also are seeking to determine whether Ludington, who was walking near his father’s home on Sycamore Trails Drive in Springboro, was in the road when he was hit on Lytle-Five Points Road, just west of the intersection at Bunnell Hill Road in Clearcreek Twp.
Ludington lived in the Botkins area in Shelby County but reportedly was visiting his father. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
His father came to the scene soon after the crash.
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Toxicology tests on Ludington were also pending, although there was no evidence he was under the influence of any controlled substances, according to Doyle Burke, chief investigator for the Warren county Coroner’s Office.
Pietrantonio, who was uninjured, called 911 to report apparently hitting a deer, but hung up. He was tracked through a combination of information, including his phone number and GPS coordinates sent to the communications center in Lebanon after the airbag on his 2015 Ford F-150 deployed, according to Sparkman.
Several witnesses reportedly saw the crash, but it remained unclear if when he was hit, Ludington was in the road, within a narrow section of berm just east or on a wider section where his body was found Road about 10:40 p.m. Thursday nearly three driveways west of the intersection on the north side of Lytle-Five Points.
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Accident reconstruction is also expected to help determine if Pietrantonio was speeding at the time of the accident.
“We’re trying to rule out all factors,” Sparkman added. No charges have been filed. Troopers are expected to present the case directly to the Warren County prosecutor’s Office.
UPDATE @ 5:47 a.m: 18-year-old Skyler P. Ludington of Botkins, Ohio, was the victim in a fatal pedestrian strike that occurred in Warren County Thursday night, according to a release.
A preliminary investigation revealed that Robert C. Pietrantonio, 55, of Dayton was the driver of a 2015 Ford F-150 that struck Ludington around 11:40 p.m.
Pietrantonio was traveling west on W. Lytle-Five Points Road when he struck Ludington who was walking westbound on W. Lytle-Five Points road, according to the report. Pietrantonio left the scene of the crash, but was later located at his residence in Washington Twp., along with the vehicle believed to be involved in the crash.
The crash remains under investigation by the Lebanon post of the Ohio State Highway Patrol, but alcohol is being considered a potential factor in the crash.
UPDATE @ 1:30 a.m: An 18-year-old male is the victim in a fatal pedestrian strike that occurred in Warren County late Thursday night, according to officials.
The incident occurred on Yankee Road at Lytle-Five Points Road around 11 p.m.
Warren County Sheriff’s deputies continue to investigate the incident.
We’re working to learn the identity of the 18-year-old.
INITIAL REPORT
Warren County sheriff's deputies have located a white pickup truck they believe was involved in a fatal pedestrian strike late Thanksgiving Night.
We're hearing that the accident occurred in northern Warren County and a white Ford F150 was driven from the scene headed north on Yankee Street.
The pedestrian strike reportedly occurred sometime around 11 p.m.
Deputies located the pickup truck just after 11:30 p.m. at a residence on Redsunset Drive, off Yankee Street in Washington Twp.
We have a crew on scene, waiting to speak with one of the officers.
We will update this developing report as we get information.
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