Driver Identified From Fatal Hit & Run In EC
On 08/21/2021 at approximately 10:00 p.m. East Chicago officers were dispatched to 3001 Dickey Road in reference to a fatal traffic accident, Deputy Chief Jose Rivera told RNS.
Upon arrival officers were escorted by LTV Mills security to the parking lot where a male victim was lying face down on the ground. Witnesses on scene described a white pickup truck leaving the area where the victim was located. The victim was identified as Ryan Briney of Portage, Indiana. The victim was transported by ambulance to St. Catherine Hospital where he was pronounced dead by the Emergency Room Doctor.
On 08/22/2021 at approximately 2:50 a.m. officers were dispatched back to 3001 Dickey Road for a follow up. Upon arrival were led to an unoccupied white pickup truck by an employee. Officers observed damage to the front bumper and hood as well what they believed to be dry blood on the front bumper. The vehicle was impounded to the police station to be processed.
The East Chicago Police Traffic Division Supervisor has identified the driver and passenger of the white pickup truck. The driver has retained an attorney and The Traffic Division is awaiting a response from them to set up an interview, Rivera said.
Identification of the driver and passenger will be forthcoming. The official cause of the accident is still being investigated by the traffic division. More information will be forthcoming once the investigation is completed.