Viewing set for teen killed in Kentucky

PARK CITY — A viewing is scheduled today for a Park City teen killed earlier this week in a hit-and-run accident while attending the University of Kentucky.

Connie Blount, 18, was crossing a road near campus early Sunday with a friend when she was struck by a pickup truck. The driver fled the scene after hitting Blount, who was later pronounced dead at a Lexington hospital. Her friend was not injured.

Police were making "tremendous progress" in finding the driver, according to Connie's father, Jack Blount.

"Due to some remarkable leads they were able to track down and impound a pickup truck," he said.

Blount said investigators believe they have found the truck involved in the accident but needed to conduct forensic tests to confirm.

"If they have a truck, I'm thinking they have to have a person of interest," he said.

Police Wednesday declined comment, not wanting to compromise the investigation. Blount Wednesday praised Lexington police, saying they had been working around the clock and that he, too, did not want information released that would hurt the case.

"I have every confidence they will resolve this," he said. "I want to see the person brought to justice."

The Blount family has established a scholarship at the University of Kentucky under Connie's name for equestrian students.

Blount graduated early from Park City High School last year and was a very popular student among both students and teachers. She owned two horses, and it was because of UK's equestrian program she opted to go to that school.

A memorial service was held earlier this week on UK's campus. Jack Blount attended, as well as 400 to 500 students.

The first 48 hours after his daughter's death, Blount said he and his wife did nothing but cry. But after the memorial service and the outpouring of love and support the family has seen from across the nation, the second 48 hours have been a bit easier.

"She was a very, very unique, special girl," he said. "Our faith in God has kept us going."

Connie Blount's funeral will be Friday. The kind of impact she had on everyone can be seen in the number of people who have said they will be attending, her father said. As of Wednesday, people from 18 states were scheduled to attend the funeral.

Blount is survived by her father, mother, older brother and older sister who the family said ironically gave birth within hours of Connie being killed.