CLEVELAND HEIGHTS, Ohio — A 21-year-old woman was killed after being struck by a vehicle while trying to use a crosswalk at a Cleveland Heights intersection on Sunday evening.
According to police reports, the fatal accident stemmed from a separate "road rage" altercation involving two cars driving north on Lee Road.
An argument began in the parking lot of a Marathon gas station at Lee Road and Essex Road after a black Hyundai and red Dodge Charger were involved in a minor crash. The Hyundai struck the Charger after attempting to merge into the Charger's lane without yielding.
After the altercation at the Marathon, the driver of the Hyundai sped away from the Marathon at a high rate of speed, northbound on Lee Road. As the Hyundai was approaching the intersection of Lee and Cedar Roads, the driver failed to stop at a red light, colliding with a car travelling westbound on Cedar road in the intersection.
After colliding with the Hyundai, the westbound vehicle spun out and struck 21-year-old Sophia Villanueva, who was crossing the intersection's north crosswalk.
Ms. Villanueva died from her injuries.
No arrests have been made at this time. The incident remains under investigation by the Accident Investigation Unit and Cleveland Heights detectives.