Chester County, SC : 49-year-old Flora Merinda Ellenburg of Salisbury killed in a hit-and-run crash on Interstate 77 early Monday morning, February 8, 2016

Troopers have identified a passenger who was killed in a hit-and-run in Chester County, SC, early Monday morning as 49-year-old Flora Merinda Ellenburg of Salisbury, NC.

Troopers are looking for a "purple commercial motor vehicle," possibly a tractor-trailer, which they believe was involved.

The accident happened around 3:10 a.m. on Interstate 77 northbound near mile marker 59.

A spokesperson for the South Carolina Highway Patrol says the commercial vehicle hit a Ford Explorer in the rear, causing the SUV to lose control and overturn.

The commercial vehicle didn't stop, officials say The 36-year-old driver of the Explorer was wearing a seat belt and was injured. EMS took the driver to Carolinas Medical Center.

The passenger, later identified as Ellenburg, was not wearing a seat belt and died, officials said.

Troopers said the vehicle involved in the crash had a distinctive purple bumper, was possibly hauling a flatbed trailer, and will likely have noticeable damage to the left front side and missing amber clearance lights.

Highway Patrol released photos of purple vehicle parts found at the scene. The parts are now puzzle pieces for investigators.

First responders like Richburg Assistant Fire Chief T Melton, have had a difficult time lately. There have already been four deaths on Chester County roadways in 2016.

“It’s always hard to drive up and see someone with one of their loved ones that there’s not much you can do to help them,” Melton said.

Chief John Agee can’t understand why the driver wouldn’t stop to help.

“It was just sad. Two people riding along, not bothering anybody in life and then somebody hits them and leave them,” Agee said.

Melton and his team were able to save two puppies from the mangled SUV, a small silver lining, they say.

“It kind of takes your mind of some things to find that and they were adorable little puppies and we put them in the back of the fire truck and gave them a blanket to lay on,” Melton said.

First responders urged people to be on the lookout for the damaged vehicle, or the driver to surrender.

Source :
Salisbury woman killed in hit-and-run on interstate