Creighton University President, Rev. Daniel Hendrickson, has identified the student who was struck by a car and killed early Wednesday near the campus.
In a tweet Hendrickson said, "I am saddened to share that College of Nursing student Vindhya Puttagunta has died after being struck by a car early this morning. Please pray for her and her family during this difficult time."
The accident happened shortly after 1 a.m. near 25th Avenue and Burt Street. Omaha Police say Puttagunta and a man were walking near 27th and Burt when he sat down on a retaining wall. Puttagunta then, to get the his attention, laid down in the middle of Burt Street.
An eastbound dark sedan on Burt then struck Puttagunta and continued on Burt before turning southbound onto 24th St. Puttagunta was taken to Nebraska Medicine with CPR in progress and died shortly after arriving at the hospital.
Anyone with information as to what may have happened or information on the driver is encouraged to contact OPD's traffic division at (402) 444-5627.