Man killed as passing auto jumps curb, hits 3

Wallace

Police are seeking the driver, who fled after the crash. The license plate did not match the car.

A Toledo man was killed and a woman hurt seriously yesterday when a passing car went out of control in the 2400 block of Maplewood Avenue, hitting them and an unidentified third person standing in front of an apartment building.

Kenneth Wallace, 34, of 2505 Palmer St., was pronounced dead at the scene.

Tekisha Thompson, 25, of 3223 Jeannette Ave., was listed in serious condition in St. Vincent Mercy Medical Center, a hospital spokesman said.

Wallace

Ms. Thompson and two men were standing near the driveway of 2440 Maplewood just before 7 a.m. when the driver of an older-model, two-door car raced northbound down the street at what appeared to be a high rate of speed, police Lt. Kevin Keel said.

One of the men, Tony Cole, 25, of 2361 Lawrence Ave., told police the car hit a speed bump, causing it to veer out of control, jump the curb, and hit Wallace, Ms. Thompson, and the unknown man. The driver of the car and a female passenger fled, as did the unidentified man, Lieutenant Keel said.

Officer Chuck Turner said the license plate on the car did not match the vehicle, so traffic investigators began looking for the vehicle identification number to determine who owns it.

Police continued to look for the driver and passenger last night.

A relative of Kenneth Wallace is comforted after hearing he had been struck and killed by a car that jumped the curb on Maplewood Avenue early yesterday.

Meanwhile, family, friends, and neighbors quickly gathered as word of the accident spread. Some cried openly and had to be consoled while tempers flared with others as the tragedy sunk in for those who knew Wallace, known to friends as "K.B."

His aunt, Jackie Wallace, said her nephew had purchased some rental properties in the neighborhood and had numerous friends there. Other family members said he was well-known and liked in the neighborhood.

"I just [saw] him [Wednesday] night," said Ms. Wallace, who owns a nightclub on Lagrange Street. "This is unbelievable."

Mary Tyree, another aunt, said she hoped that the driver involved would turn himself in. She described her nephew as a fun-loving and helpful person who turned a troubled earlier life into one in which he helped others.

Friends brought a wreath with the wording "Beloved K.B." on it to the accident site as the beginning of a makeshift memorial. Neighbors on both sides of the street milled around and talked about the accident.

Contact Clyde Hughes at:

chughes@theblade.com

or 419-724-6095.