NILES, Ohio — Authorities have released the identity of a woman who was struck and killed in a hit-and-run crash on Saturday night in Niles. Police say the victim, Brenda Hibbard, was fatally injured when a vehicle plowed through a residential yard, crashing into parked cars before speeding away from the scene.
According to a police report, officers were called to the area of Fifth Street and Indiana Avenue around 8:43 p.m. on October 4 after a 911 caller reported an unresponsive woman lying in a yard. When officers arrived, they found Hibbard critically injured near the 700 block of Indiana Avenue. Paramedics rushed her to a nearby hospital, but despite medical efforts, she later succumbed to her injuries.
The report revealed that the suspect vehicle had driven off the street and into the backyard of a residence, striking multiple parked vehicles. The impact also threw Hibbard backward, knocking her out of her shoes. A frantic neighbor told a 911 dispatcher, “Somebody just drove through my yard and hit my car, my shed and everything. My neighbor’s lying on the ground.” Police said the driver fled the area immediately after the collision without rendering aid.
Investigators recovered two broken vehicle parts at the scene, both bearing identifiable part numbers. Based on this evidence, authorities believe the suspect vehicle is a later model Ford F-150, possibly a high-end trim featuring a two-tone paint scheme—black or blue over silver. Detectives added that the vehicle likely has front-end damage and may be missing its driver’s side mirror as a result of the impact.
Detectives have been canvassing nearby homes and businesses for surveillance footage and believe the crash occurred at approximately 8:14 p.m. The Niles Police Department is now urging residents to check doorbell cameras or security systems for any recordings of the truck before or after the incident. Officials say even brief footage could provide critical leads in identifying the suspect.
Anyone with information or video evidence is encouraged to contact the Niles Police Department at 330-652-9944. Investigators are determined to locate the driver responsible and bring justice to Hibbard’s family, describing the crash as a “senseless and devastating tragedy.”