Investigators seek suspect in deadly hit and run in South Bend

SOUTH BEND, Ind. - Right now, South Bend police are hoping someone will recognize the vehicle in the footage. The suspect drove off after the hit and run crash took the life of 27-year old Hannah Turgeon after the Notre Dame USC game.

The accident was not only witnessed by half a dozen people but the victim’s father as well. Investigators are still trying to find out who was behind the wheel in this tragic crash.

“It’s just extremely unfortunate,” Stephen Sobierlaski, one resident said.

“They didn’t deserve this. Nobody deserves this,” Ken Cotter, the St. Joseph County Prosecutor said.

At 2:15 Sunday morning, 27-year old Hannah Turgeon was wrapping up a night of celebrations in town with her family for the Notre Dame game.

She was standing in the middle of the street across from the Linebacker Lounge, talking to an Uber or Lyft driver when she was struck and killed by a driver who failed to stop.

“As she’s talking to that person, here comes the suspect’s vehicle. She turns to go back across the street to where her father was and that’s when she struck,” Cotter said.

That car then continues driving and turns left onto White Oak and other side streets.

“After the strike, the vehicle knew clearly that he or she hit someone and went down side streets.”

Investigators released this surveillance video Wednesday in hopes of catching the person driving the vehicle.

Nine different camera angles were given to the police for the investigation, including a security camera at a nearby home showing the vehicle running through a stop sign. But even though there is video, they can’t be sure.

“The quality is not good enough for us to be able to positively identify the individual or the car,” Cotter said.

That’s why they are calling on the public for help.

“You may not think that the small bit of information that you can add to it can be helpful. That’s entirely untrue. You don’t know what you can tell us that can help us solve this crime so that we can get closure for Hannah’s family,” he said.

Sobierlaski heard about the crash and just wants justice for the family.

“Somebody knows something who has somebody who has damage to their SUV and that person should definitely come forward and report that to the police,” Sobierlaski said. “It’s just the right thing to do.”

“Nobody is accusing that driver of doing this purposely. I think that’s the last thing this driver wanted to do but you have to take responsibility for your actions,” Cotter said.

He said he saw almost a dozen people who could have witnessed the crash, saying only some stayed to speak with police.

“They need your help,” he said. “We need your help.”

Witnesses that did stay told police the car could be a dark-colored SUV, possibly a Cadillac Escalade. The prosecutor does say the vehicle had easily identifiable taillights because there is a horizontal light connecting the two vertical taillights.

Anyone with information is encouraged to call local police or Crime Stoppers at 288-STOP.