Dayton police seek car that killed woman in hit-and-run Halloween crash

Dayton police Sgt. Gordon Cairns speaks about a deadly hit-and-run pedestrian crash on Halloween at the corner of Catalpa Drive and West Fairview Avenue in Dayton during a Nov. 5, 2020, press conference. JIM NOELKER/STAFF

Credit: Jim Noelker

Credit: Jim Noelker

Dayton police Sgt. Gordon Cairns speaks about a deadly hit-and-run pedestrian crash on Halloween at the corner of Catalpa Drive and West Fairview Avenue in Dayton during a Nov. 5, 2020, press conference. JIM NOELKER/STAFF
Crime & Law
By
Updated Nov 7, 2020
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Dayton police are asking for help finding a Buick Lucerne believed to have struck and killed a pedestrian on Halloween night in a hit-and-run crash.

Denise Jackson, 52, of Dayton died at Catalpa Drive near West Fairview Avenue, according to a release from Montgomery County Coroner Dr. Kent Harshbarger. Her cause of death is multiple trauma, the coroner stated.

Sgt. Gordon Cairns, supervisor of the Dayton Police Department’s crash reconstruction unit, said the crash happened around 8:40 or 8:45 p.m. Oct. 31 as Jackson was crossing the street, possibly headed to a nearby store.

“It was dark outside by this time, the vehicle did not appear to slow, struck the female and fled the scene," he said.

Detectives initially believed the vehicle involved was an SUV, but now say it is a burgundy or reddish-colored Buick Lucerne with a model year between 2006 and 2011. The car is expected to have heavy front-end damage, Cairns said.

There is no description of the driver, he said.

Police are seeking help from the public as they investigate the crash. Anyone with information is urged to call the Dayton Police Department at 937-333-1108 and ask for the crash reconstruction unit, or to call Miami Valley Crime Stoppers at 937-222-STOP to remain anonymous.

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Jen Roppel Balduf covers breaking news for the Dayton Daily News. She earned a bachelor of science in journalism degree from Ohio University and also writes for the Journal-News, Springfield News-Sun and Dayton.com.