LAVALE — The Allegany County Sheriff’s Office has released new details and is asking for the public’s assistance in identifying a vehicle that left the scene of a fatal crash in LaVale on July 6.
Tina Marie Gillespie, 54, of Cumberland, formerly of Petersburg, West Virginia, was crossing Campground Road from the intersection of Park Avenue West when she was struck three times at approximately 9 p.m., according to Cpl. Andy Plummer.
“Her vehicle was located between the CVS Pharmacy and Cracker Barrel at the corner of Park Avenue and Campground Road,” Plummer said. “We believe the victim ran out of gas and was crossing the road to get fuel.”
Plummer said that sheriff’s office investigators are attempting to locate one of the vehicles that struck Gillespie, but left the scene of the accident.
“We do not believe the operator of the third vehicle to be at fault, but it is a crime in the state of Maryland to leave the scene of an accident with injury,” Pummer said. “The investigation is ongoing.”
Investigators believe Gillespie was initially struck by a vehicle and the second and third vehicles did not see her lying in the roadway.
Plummer said that the third vehicle was captured on surveillance footage and was last seen at the BP gas station one minute after the crash before proceeding east toward Cumberland on National Highway.
“The vehicle is a light-colored Subaru Forester with Maryland registration,” Plummer said. “The vehicle is believed to be a 2008 or newer model.”
Gillespie was transported to UPMC Western Maryland where she died, according to Plummer.
Units from LaVale Volunteer Fire Department, ambulances from LaVale Rescue, Cresaptown, Allegany County Department of Emergency Services and a county EMS supervisor responded.
A Maryland State Police Aviation Command medevac helicopter was requested, but due to weather conditions was grounded. The flight team, capable of administering pre-hospital blood products responded by ground and transported with the ambulance to the hospital.
Any witnesses are asked to contact Cpl. Jacob Martel at jmartel@alleganygov.org.
Plummer reminded citizens that are walking close to the roadway from dusk to dawn to use caution.
“If you are walking along dark or poorly lit roads, wear light-colored or reflective clothing so you are easily visible and always use marked crosswalks,” Plummer said.
The Allegany County Sheriff’s Office Crash Team is in charge of the investigation.