Kent State Student Killed in Hit-and-Run After Scooter Is Struck by Vehicle

A student in Ohio was killed on Monday in a hit-and-run incident after a vehicle struck him as he was riding his electric scooter, according to police.

Colin Vinh Pho, 22, a student at Kent State University, was riding his scooter east on County Road 148 near the intersection of State Route 261 in Franklin Township after 9:30 p.m. when a vehicle collided with the rear of the scooter, according to a statement from the university.

The driver didn't stop at the scene and continued driving east, according to Cleveland.com. The victim was taken to the University Hospital Portage Medical Center but didn't survive his injuries. No details were revealed about his injuries.

"This was a terrible tragedy. Our thoughts go out to the student's family and loved ones," a spokesperson with the Kent Police Department told Newsweek. "The incident happened on a stretch of highway outside of the Kent Police jurisdiction. The investigation is being handled by the Ohio State Patrol, Portage County post in Ravenna."

Kent State University mourned the death of Pho, releasing a statement reported by WKYC that read: "We are deeply saddened to learn about the death of Colin Pho. An Ashtabula native, Colin was a junior at Kent State University majoring in computer science with a concentration in game programming. He received his Associate of Science degree from Kent State in May 2022 and was registered for fall 2022 classes to pursue a bachelor's degree. The Kent State community sends its thoughts and prayers to Colin's family, friends and all who knew and loved him."

Kent State student killed
Above, a police vehicle is pictured in a stock image. A student in Ohio was killed on Monday in a hit-and-run incident after a vehicle struck him as he was riding his electric scooter, according... GETTY IMAGES

No arrests have been made and the incident is currently being investigated, but highway patrol troopers say that the vehicle is possibly a white, silver or light-colored 2006 to 2010 model Dodge Charger, Dodge Magnum, or Chrysler 300 that is missing its driver's side mirror. The vehicle might also be damaged in the left front area and its windshield.

Newsweek reached out to the Kent State Police Department for additional information and comments.

Other Hit-and-Run Incidents

Earlier this month, a paramedic and one other person were killed after being struck by a driver who drove into a scene where first responders were working on a motorcycle crash in Florence, South Carolina. The vehicle that drove into the scene was not involved in the initial crash.

In June, three sisters from California, all aged 18 to 21, and their grandfather were killed in a hit-and-run during their family vacation in Guatemala. The grandfather's minivan was struck by a driver in a big rig truck who reportedly fled the scene but was eventually arrested.

Also in June, police in Indiana apprehended a hit-and-run driver after the victim told officers about the vehicle's plates before dying. The driver, 27-year-old Kyle Rigdon, was later arrested for killing 29-year-old Kayla Bowling.

Update 8/26/2022, 4:59 p.m. ET: This article has been updated to include comments from a Kent Police Department spokesperson.

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