Cayden Turner, 18, of Moraine and her roommate 18-year-old Namiya Russell, were struck as they were crossing the street in a marked crosswalk.
Turner, a member of CJ’s Class of 2022, was involved in a variety of activities while a high school student, said Tina Wagoner, director of marketing and communications. Turner also received an Ohio High School Athletic Association Courageous Student Award, according to the high school’s website.
When first responders arrived, the Cincinnati Fire Department said they found the two women in the middle of the street. Turner was pronounced dead at the hospital.
“I want to share our deepest condolences with the family of our student whose life was taken far too soon,” University President Neville G. Pinto said in a letter to campus students, staff and faculty. “For our injured student, our hopes remain focused on a full recovery. Our thoughts and prayers are with both families and their loved ones.”
The students were crossing at a marked crosswalk when the driver sped through a red light before striking them, and then a tree, police said.
The vehicle involved was suspected to be a stolen vehicle, according to CFD. One person inside the vehicle was taken to the hospital with minor injuries. Three other people inside the vehicle, including the driver, ran away.
Any witnesses to this crash are asked to call the Cincinnati Police Department’s Traffic Unit at 513-352-2514.
Pinto encouraged anyone on campus impacted by the news to seek out UC’s Counseling and Psychological Services.
The 17-year-old will be back in court Oct. 13 to see if his case will be bound over to adult court.
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