A local woman was killed after being struck by an SUV while riding a bicycle in the area of 11th and Chestnut streets late Sunday night.
The Bartholomew County Coroner’s Office identified the victim as Kyla Merri Ortlieb, 21, Columbus.
Ortlieb was pronounced dead at the scene near 11th and Chestnut streets by Bartholomew County Deputy Coroner Charlie Deweese, with cause of death listed as massive trauma.
The Columbus Police Department is continuing to seek information about the incident to identify the driver of a red GMC Jimmy vehicle that was heavily damaged and abandoned about one block away from where Ortlieb was killed. The vehicle was found in the middle of the 1200 block of Union Street, said Lt. Matt Harris, Columbus Police Department spokesman.
The incident was reported at 11:15 p.m. Sunday when Columbus police were sent to the area after receiving several 911 calls about the crash, Harris said.
Anyone with information in regards to this case is urged to contact the Columbus Police Department at 812-376-2600.
Tips and information may be provided anonymously.
Police shut down 11th Street between Chestnut Street and California Street for about 3.5 hours after the bicyclist was found.
The crash remains under investigation by Columbus Police Department crash reconstructionists and the Columbus Police Department Investigation Division.
