Pedestrian killed by car in south Topeka identified

TOPEKA, Kan. (WIBW) - The woman who was killed after she was struck by a car Wednesday morning on a busy street in south Topeka has been identified, according to authorities.

On Thursday afternoon, TPD identified the victim as Kerry Hanika, 68, of Topeka.

Emergency responders were called just after 8:30 a.m. to the 3700 block of S.W. Topeka Boulevard on a report of a car-pedestrian collision.

Officers at the scene said a woman was walking westbound across S.W. Topeka Boulevard when she was struck by a maroon passenger car that appeared to have been traveling north.

The car came to a stop near a concrete island in the middle of the 3700 block of S.W. Topeka Boulevard.

There was no marked crosswalk where the woman was struck, which was just east of a Sonic Drive-In.

The woman was transported by American Medical Response ambulance to a local hospital with what were described as life-threatening injuries. Just after 3:30 p.m. TPD announced that the pedestrian in the incident was pronounced dead at a local hospital. The driver remained on the scene with no apparent injuries. Authorities said the deceased individual will not be identified until next of kin notifications can be made.

Multiple police patrol cars and motorcycle units were on the scene as of 9:30 a.m. Wednesday.

Southbound traffic on Topeka Boulevard was shut down at S.W. 37th Street.

Officers told 13 NEWS that the 3700 block of S.W. Topeka Boulevard was expected to remain closed while the incident was investigated by the police department’s Accident Reconstruction Team.

Police were asking motorists to avoid the area as the incident was being investigated.

Northbound traffic was being allowed to proceed through the area as of 9:30 a.m.

Check WIBW.com for more details as they become available.

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