Elyria, Ohio — What was supposed to be an ordinary Saturday night turned into heartbreaking loss for the family of 34‑year‑old Tiffany Kunc. Early reports and official statements show Tiffany was found lying in the snow along the 6700 block of West River Road South just after 7:30 p.m. Saturday. First responders rushed to the scene but quickly learned she had died from injuries consistent with being hit by a vehicle.
Neighbors later told police they heard a loud thump but didn’t see what happened. Officers say surveillance video from nearby homes confirmed Tiffany was struck by a car that didn’t stop. No one at the time came forward to help or report the crash, leaving the community stunned and grieving.
Police detectives followed the vehicle’s path and later tracked a maroon Ford Escape to a house in Lorain. There, investigators obtained a search warrant and seized the SUV. Inside and around the vehicle, officers collected evidence they hope will answer key questions about what unfolded on that cold road.
When questioned, the man believed to have been driving told officers he thought he had hit a deer. Authorities said officers are continuing to examine all the evidence to determine whether he should have known it was a person he struck. At this stage, no criminal charges have been filed, but police say charges are likely once the investigation is complete.
Investigators have emphasized that drugs or alcohol are not believed to have played a role in the crash. Still, the absence of lights or fog that night may have contributed to poor visibility. Officers are urging drivers to be extra careful in winter conditions and to stop and report any collision, no matter how minor it might seem.
Friends and family remember Tiffany as a warm, lively soul who loved her community and brightened rooms with her smile. Many gathered Sunday to light candles at the site where she died, leaving flowers and photos as the chill wind swept across the snowy street. Her loss has resonated with friends and neighbors alike, who now hope her story reminds others to pause and check on one another.
Police say the investigation remains active, and updates will be made available as more details emerge. Families across the region are urged to keep a watchful eye out on dark roads and to take a moment to stop and call for help if they think they’ve been involved in any crash.
