Credit: GoFundMe
The search for the driver who first struck and killed a 29-year-old woman early Monday morning along Route 1 in Middletown continued Friday.
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Investigators sifted through evidence found at the scene of the crash between the Neshaminy High School exit and the Old Lincoln Highway entrance. Officers found a fresh chrome plated piece of plastic from the front grill of a truck that was stamped with the Mack Truck bulldog emblem, police Chief Joseph Bartorilla said.
Using a partial part number, police spoke with Mack Truck dealers and part suppliers to determine the grill was made for trucks in the 2004 to 2007 CHN series, which is a tractor-trailer combination, Bartorilla said.
“The evidence strongly suggests that this type of truck may have been the initial striking vehicle that then fled the scene,” the chief said.
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“The damaged area to the front of this truck would be noticeable and substantial, and even potentially disabling. Alerts have been issued to all certified Mack Truck repair facilities in the area to be on the lookout for a Mack Truck that may need these types of repairs,” Bartorilla added.
Investigators are also hoping media coverage of the case will drum up new leads.
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Alexandra Ridgway, 29, who previously lived in Bristol Township, was killed when she was struck on Route 1 around 3:30 a.m. Monday. Her remains were struck by numerous vehicles. None of the striking vehicles stopped at the scene.
Bartorilla confirmed that the arm found in the 8800 block of Pine Road in Philadelphia, about 9 miles from the Route 1 crash site, had been positively identified as Ridgway’s left limb by the Philadelphia Medical Examiner’s Office. The body part was turned over to the Bucks County Coroner’s Office for further investigation.
Earlier this week, police said they had evidence that indicated Ridgway was upright when she was struck the first time.
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The investigation also led police to a Ford F-550 flatbed tow truck, a Dodge Caravan minivan, and a VW Passat that may have been at the scene. The vehicles were examined.
No charges have been filed as of Friday and police said previously the drivers they have spoken to were cooperating.
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Several others vehicles were looked at and determined not to have struck the 29 year old.
It was not clear why Ridgway was on highway at the time of the crash, but her family said she suffered from mental health issues.
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An online fundraiser has collected more than $12,000 in donations for Ridgway’s funeral.
Police are asking anyone regarding the crash to Officer Timothy King or Sgt. Michael Lubold at 215-750-3800.
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