Starke County Coroner Kris Rannells released the name of the victim from the hit and run accident on US 30 west of State Road 23 in Grovertown Tuesday.
An autopsy in Fort Wayne on Wednesday show that 33 year old Christopher Howard of Grovertown died instantly of multiple blunt force traumas to the head, chest and abdomen.
The Starke County Sheriff’s Department began an investigation after a missing persons report was filed Tuesday afternoon. The investigation revealed that Howard was last seen leaving a friend’s house about 2 a.m. Tuesday in the area of 1025 East and 50 North.
Police located Howard’s vehicle in the area of 900 East and 500 North about 5:30 Tuesday evening. They said it appears to have been involved in a collision. Evidence at the scene indicates that someone walked from that scene.
When Howard’s body was located along US 30, evidence at the scene indicates that he was struck by a motor vehicle that fled the scene. Police don’t know if the fog contributed to the accident.
This is an ongoing investigation and Starke County Police ask anyone with information to contact the Starke County Sheriff’s Department at (574) 772-3771.
