Elk Grove jogger dies after vehicle collision

On April 4, 2011 at 8:05 a.m., the Elk Grove Police Department responded to a collision involving a vehicle and jogger at Laguna Boulevard and Laguna Park Drive.

Upon arrival, officers discovered that a 54-year-old female, later identified Teresa Hess an Elk Grove resident, had been struck by a 2004 Ford Explorer that had been travelling eastbound on Laguna Blvd. Prior to the collision, the jogger had been waiting on the sidewalk near the southeast corner of the intersection for the signal to change.

Once the signal changed allowing pedestrians to cross the intersection, the jogger entered a marked crosswalk. As the jogger began crossing the street, she was struck by a Ford Explorer being driven by a 32-year-old Elk Grove resident.

After the collision, the driver of the vehicle immediately pulled to the right side of the roadway. The driver of the vehicle and his passenger, a 7-year-old girl, were not injured.

Hess suffered life threatening injuries and was transported to a local area hospital for medical treatment. Yesterday, Teresa Hess passed away as a result of the injuries she sustained in the collision.

A preliminary investigation into the collision has revealed that the driver of the SUV did not stop for a red light that had been active for several seconds. The investigation into the collision is ongoing, and anyone with information regarding this collision is asked to call (916) 478-8143.