Hiawatha woman believes she was involved in hit-and-run

Presented with the evidence, a Hiawatha woman told investigators she believes she was involved in a crash that killed a pedestrian two weeks ago, according to court documents.

Eugene Fisher, 89, of Hiawatha, was struck by a vehicle early on the morning of Oct. 8 as he walked along Robins Road, police said. An off-duty police officer discovered him around 2:30 a.m., lying face down just south of Tower Terrace Road. Fisher was pronounced dead at the scene.

Hiawatha Police Chief Dennis Marks said no charges have been filed in the incident, and all parties have been cooperating with the investigation.

“Right now, we are investigating it as an accident,” Marks said. “Whether or not charges are filed is a little farther down the road.”

According to a search warrant filed in Linn County District Court, an investigation indicated Fisher was walking north along the northbound lane when he was hit from behind. A flashlight was found at the scene. A sheriff's deputy wrote in the search warrant that he was familiar with Fisher and had seen him walking at various hours of the day and night in the past.

The crash site was less than a half-mile from Fisher's home in the Bali Hai Estates mobile home park. The shoulder is narrow there, where the speed limit is 45 mph.

An autopsy concluded Fisher died of multiple blunt force injuries. Dr. Julia Goodin, forensic pathologist at the Iowa Medical Examiner's Office, determined Fisher was dealt a glancing blow by the vehicle and was not run over.

Through the investigation, police identified a 2003 Chevrolet Avalanche as the possible vehicle involved in the hit-and-run. On Oct. 10, police located the vehicle and found marks on it that matched the tan color of Fisher's pants, according to the search warrant. Gray or black marks on Fisher's shirt and pants also matched the color of the vehicle and side molding.

Police interviewed the woman who said she had borrowed the vehicle from her boss. The 49-year-old woman told investigators she did not remember striking anyone or anything. Later in the interview, according to the search warrant, she started crying and asked “Why would God let me do something like that?”

The vehicle was towed as evidence to confirm it was involved in the accident. When the deputy told the woman he believed the marks would match, “she once again stated that she believed she had been involved in the accident. …Every time she states this, she becomes upset and says a little prayer or asks why God would have her act as his instrument in something like this,” according to the search warrant.

The woman's name was listed in the search warrant, however SourceMedia Group has chosen not to publish the name, because she has not been arrested or charged with a crime. Attempts to reach the woman for comment Friday were unsuccessful.

The search warrant indicates parts of the vehicle were taken as evidence, along with several swab samples. Marks said items were being tested at the state crime lab in Des Moines, and results weren't likely for another four to six weeks.

Marks said there is no indication that alcohol was a factor in the incident. He said police continue to work diligently on the case.

“We have other people to interview in the investigation,” Marks said. “The investigation isn't at a standstill. There's a lot of work to be done, both before and after the information comes back from the lab.”