18-year-old killed in west Louisville hit-and run identified; police searching for suspect

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WAVE) - An 18-year-old woman who died after being struck by a vehicle in west Louisville on Wednesday morning has been identified.

Santanna Willie Holland died due to blunt force trauma after being struck by a vehicle, according to the Jefferson County Coroner’s Office.

Around 8:15 a.m., police responded to reports of a pedestrian struck at Louis Coleman Jr. Drive and Dumesnil Street, according to Louisville Metro Police spokesman Dwight Mitchell.

Early investigation revealed a vehicle, described as a white Hyundai, was going northbound on Louis Coleman Jr. Drive, where witnesses said the vehicle approached the intersection and crossed into the southbound lanes.

The vehicle then drove onto the sidewalk on the west side of the street and hit Holland.

Police said the driver got out of the vehicle and fled the scene. Officials also said the vehicle is believed to be registered as stolen.

Holland was listed in critical condition at University Hospital, but Sgt. Ron Fey with LMPD’s Traffic Unit confirmed the woman later died at the hospital.

Several neighbors told WAVE News that there have been at least a dozen dangerous accidents at or near this intersection in recent years.

”It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to know that something has to be done at this intersection,” said one neighbor. “Now someone is dead.”

He said he and other neighbors have asked the city to make changes to the intersection, adding it’s not a surprise that somebody died. It is surprising, they said, somebody didn’t die sooner.

“What are y’all waiting for?” they asked. “How many more accidents have to happen?”

A JCPS spokesperson confirmed the 18-year-old was not a current student within the school district.

Police are searching for the suspect who fled the vehicle, who is described as a Black man in his late teens to early 20s who is wearing dark clothing and may have a dreadlock hairstyle.

“We do have a few people that heard bits and pieces of what occurred out here this morning,” Fey said. “but again, we’re always looking for more information.”

Anyone with any information is asked to call LMPD’s anonymous tip line at (502) 574-LMPD (5673) or use the online crime tip portal.

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