Woman killed in hit and run accident; investigators looking for driver

A woman was killed in a hit-and-run auto-pedestrian accident on Salt Lake County's east side Wednesday afternoon.

Patricia Rothermich, 64, of Holladay, was walking for exercise when she was hit.

Salt Lake County sheriff's investigators are asking for the public's help in finding the driver responsible for her death.

Rothermich was found lying in the street near 5100 South and 2400 East about 3:20 p.m. Sheriff's Lt. Paul Jaroscak said it appeared she was hit from behind, possibly by a vehicle driving on the wrong side of the road.

Jaroscak calls the area where Rothermich was hit a "rural area in the middle of urban Salt Lake County." It's an area with big trees, wide streets and little traffic, making it popular with walkers. The woman apparently was walking near the curb when she was hit. She died while being transported to the hospital.

There were no witnesses to the accident, but one neighbor heard a noise about the same time the accident is believed to have occurred and noticed a white or light-colored construction vehicle leaving the area. Investigators are interested in finding that vehicle, if for no other reason than to clear that driver, Jaroscak said. Traces of white paint from a vehicle were found at the accident scene.

The vehicle may have been hauling lumber, rocks or landscaping materials, he said.

The sheriff's Major Accident Team was conducting an investigation into the incident.

Anyone with information on the accident or who may have seen something suspicious in the area is asked to call the sheriff's office at 801-743-7000.

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Contributing: Rebecca Palmer

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E-mail: preavy@desnews.com