CRIME

Woman struck, killed by car door after fight about dogs

Kayleigh Skinner
kayleigh.skinner@commercialappeal.com
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The Memphis Police Department is searching for the driver of a Ford Taurus SUV after the man allegedly hit and killed a pedestrian with the vehicle's door and later crashed into another car.

In an email, police spokesman Louis Brownlee said officers and special traffic investigators responded to a crash at Latham Street and Cambridge Avenue at 6:32 p.m. on Nov. 25.

An investigation revealed that prior to the crash, 44-year-old Sylvia Hunt was struck by the 2008 Ford Taurus, Brownlee said. Hunt was standing by the open passenger door of the vehicle arguing with the driver "about theft of dogs," he said. The driver suddenly reversed, knocking Hunt to the pavement and continuing to drive down Cambridge before striking another vehicle, police said. After the crash, the suspect put the car in drive and crashed into a fence then fled on foot.

Hunt was taken to the Regional Medical Center in critical condition, where she died of her injuries Nov. 30, he said.

This is an ongoing investigation and police do not have a suspect in custody, Brownlee said.