Omaha police report the pedestrian hit by an SUV near 24th and Leavenworth Friday afternoon has died.
The accident happened at 1:00 p.m. yesterday afternoon. The investigation revealed that a white 2008 GMC Envoy was in the Conoco gas station parking lot. The driver, identified as 33 year old Nickole Wheeler, pulled the Envoy onto eastbound Leavenworth but lost control just west of 24th street.
The SUV then drove over a curb and struck the male pedestrian and a metal traffic signal support.
Wheeler got out of the SUV and took off running. Several witnesses chased after Wheeler but lost sight of her near 20th and St. Mary's Avenue. Police say that Wheeler then flagged down another driving asking for a ride home. That driver knew Wheeler was the suspect who just ran from the collision scene and agreed then to "drive her home". Instead, the driver headed back to the accident scene where police took Wheeler into custody.
The injured 48 year old male pedestrian was transported to a hospital with critical injuries with CPR in progress. He died a short time later. His name has not yet been released.
Police say alcohol and drugs are not believed to be factors involved in the accident that remains under investigation.
Photo: WOWT 6 News.