CONTENT WARNING: This story discusses suicide. If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, call or text the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988.
A 46-year-old woman died Sunday, a day after authorities say she jumped from a moving vehicle in Stark County.
Deputies with the Stark County Sheriff’s Office responded around 3:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 26, to the 400 block of East Beech Street NE near Mountview Avenue NE just outside of Alliance for a report of an injured woman.
According to the sheriff’s office, the woman had been riding in the passenger seat of a Chevrolet Equinox when she opened the door and jumped from the vehicle while it was moving.
A witness traveling behind the Equinox told investigators the vehicle appeared to be traveling around the posted speed limit when its passenger-side door opened. The witness initially believed someone inside the vehicle was becoming sick.
The witness said the vehicle slowed and the woman attempted to put her feet on the roadway while it was still moving. She then fell face-first and rolled several times, according to the report.
The driver stopped immediately and attempted to help the woman while the witness called 911. Investigators said the vehicle had traveled approximately 75 feet with the passenger door open before the woman exited.
Deputies arrived to find the woman unresponsive. She was treated by medics and transported to Cleveland Clinic Mercy Hospital, where she remained in critical condition and underwent surgery.
According to the sheriff’s office, investigators learned the woman had recently been experiencing significant personal difficulties. The report indicates investigators received differing accounts from people close to the woman regarding her recent mental health and whether she had previously expressed thoughts of self-harm.
Authorities said the woman was taken off advanced life support Sunday and was pronounced dead at approximately 5 p.m. Her body was released to the Stark County Coroner’s Office for further investigation.
Deputies reported finding nothing suspicious at the scene or inside the vehicle. Investigators also canvassed the area but did not locate surveillance cameras that would have captured the incident.
The Stark County Sheriff’s Office said the investigation remains ongoing, but no foul play is suspected at this time.
