The accident occurred near the intersection of 12th and Cascade Streets. Police believe Ms. Zielinski may have been walking in the roadway. As we’ve observed, pedestrians sometimes have little choice as the plows and inattentive property owners have the sidewalks completely blocked and impassable.
A passer-by apparently saw Ms. Zielinski laying in the street and called for help. She was taken via ambulance to UPMC Hamot where she was pronounced dead.
It is not yet known whether police have any suspects or if there is a description of the vehicle involved. A white SUV was impounded and its owner was questioned and released. No charges have been filed.
If you have information about this tragic hit and run accident, please contact Erie police at (814) 870-1125. Our thoughts are with Ms. Zielinski and her family and our hopes are that the hit and run driver soon is identified.
The Erie hit and run driver should be responsible for striking a pedestrian, obviously. However, there may be liability that applies to the adjoining landowners if it is determined that they failed to properly attend to their sidewalks and that this carelessness is what caused Ms. Zielinski to have to walk in the street.
The Pennsylvania injury lawyers at Purchase, George & Murphey, P.C. would like to offer our sincere condolences to the family and friends of Tricia Zielinski.