A 79-year-old Navarre man has died from injuries sustained in a hit-skip crash that seriously injured three pedestrians in Bethlehem Township earlier this week, according to an update from the Ohio State Highway Patrol.
Gregory Cutcher was pronounced dead at Cleveland Clinic Mercy Hospital as a result of injuries suffered in the May 23 crash, authorities said.
The Ohio State Highway Patrol’s Canton Post continues to seek the public’s help in identifying the driver of a vehicle believed to have struck a tree along Hudson Drive before leaving the scene.
Troopers said the crash occurred around 10:37 p.m. May 23 on Hudson Drive east of Beth Avenue. Investigators said a vehicle struck a downed tree in the roadway. Shortly afterward, 21-year-old Dustin Sweet of Canton stopped at the scene. Cutcher and 69-year-old Janet Ellis, both of Navarre, also stopped to assist.
While the three were standing in the roadway next to the tree, an unknown eastbound vehicle struck the tree and continued without stopping, according to the patrol. The impact pushed the tree into the pedestrians, knocking them to the ground.
Sweet suffered minor injuries and was treated at the scene by Erie Valley Fire and EMS before being released. Cutcher sustained life-threatening injuries and was transported to Cleveland Clinic Mercy Hospital. Ellis suffered serious injuries and was taken to Aultman Hospital.
Investigators believe the vehicle involved may be a small, light-colored four-door sedan, possibly white, silver or gray.
The crash remains under investigation. Anyone with information about the vehicle, driver, occupants or its location is asked to contact the Ohio State Highway Patrol’s Canton Post at 330-433-6200.
