Thursday, February 17, 2000
Fatal hit-skip remains mystery
Police ask help to find truck
BY DAVID ECK
Enquirer Contributor
MIDDLETOWN — Three weeks after a driver hit and killed an elderly Middletown woman, police say their investigation has stalled and are renewing a call for anyone who can provide information about the incident.
Armina Mitchell, 72, of Columbia Avenue was pronounced dead Jan. 26 after police found her lying on Clark Street. Nearby was a shopping cart she used to collect cans for extra cash.
There were no witnesses.
“We really don't have anything specific to go on,” said Middletown Police Lt. Don Owens. “We're still looking for some help on it.”
Investigators think the vehicle that struck Ms. Mitchell was a General Motors pickup truck, likely medium blue with a damaged right front side.
“We got some evidence from the vehicle that struck” Ms. Mitchell, Lt. Owens said.
An autopsy showed Ms. Mitchell suffered a fractured right hand, several broken ribs and internal bleeding.
“She died of internal hemorrhage due to several lacera tions of the liver,” said Butler County Coroner Dr. Richard Burkhardt. “She was hit on the right side of her body.”
Ms. Mitchell for years scoured the city collecting cans, hauling them to a recycling center a few times a year. She got 25 cents a pound. Sometimes she'd have $20 to $30 worth or more.
When police went to her home to report the accident, they found bags of cans alongside her house, Lt. Owens said.
Anyone with information about the hit-skip is asked to call Lt. Owens or Detective Steve Getter at 425-7700. Callers can remain anonymous.
Search on for stadium solutions
Commissioners learning costly lessons
Debacle could delay other projects
Lessons will be put to use on Reds park
County signs up public relations support
Let's recruit Mike Brown for our team
Albright vows help to Blue Ash dad
Cities push change in school funds
Police, media mobilize for kids
Organ donation opinions diverse
Rivers on the rise, but not too much
Supreme Court asked to look at public defender pay
Queen City's moments to shine reflected in book
Writer lives his love story
Some pols dismiss what's best for area
Birds will fly up and be counted
GET TO IT
Here's how to join the bird count
Net increases isolation, study asserts
Georges Haidon cooks as a signer of books
Agency may revoke permit for chickens
Charter school shut for 3rd day
City likes development ideas
Downtown falcon lacks mate
Ex-guard step ahead of police
Fatal hit-skip remains mystery
Flack concert to promote breast cancer awareness
Ignorance of gun law no excuse
Lawsuit against village tossed
Mason chili cook-off heated
Mayor's city jail talk raises fuss
Park plans bandied about
Site prepared for Silverton CVS
Strip club site taken
TRISTATE DIGEST
