Lima woman murdered late Tuesday

4/30/2008

LIMA, Ohio A local woman was shot and killed in a drive-by shooting late Tuesday in this Allen County community, authorities said.

Wendy Westergaard-Westwood, 38, of Lima, the victim, was pronounced dead at 11:43 p.m. Tuesday at St. Rita s Mercy Medical Center.

The cause of death was pending the release by Allen County coroner of results of an autopsy conducted Wednesday by the Lucas County Coroner s Office, said Bob Hannon, a Lucas County coroner s investigator.

The incident occurred about 10:30 p.m. in the 900 block of West Market Street in the western part of the city, Lima police said.

Ms. Westergaard-Westwood was driving her Jeep Cherokee north on West Market when someone fired at her from a passing vehicle. The vehicle, possibly a blue minivan, then fled, officers said.

The woman was hit by gunfire, which caused her to lose control of the Jeep. The vehicle then struck a tree on the north side of the road and turned over, pinning her underneath.

The incident was reported at 10:41 p.m. A short time later, emergency crews arrived, extricated the victim from the wreckage, and took her to the hospital.

As of noon Wednesday, police had no suspects. The incident was being investigated as a murder, officers said.

Lima is about 70 miles southwest of Toledo.