National Guard solider, Cedar Rapids father identified in fatal Iowa City car accident
Paris BarrazaA Cedar Rapids man struck by a yet-to-be-named driver near Iowa City West High School last month has died.
The man, who was out for a run, was identified as 45-year-old Corey J. Hite, Iowa City Police public safety information officer Lee Hermiston told the Press-Citizen in an email Monday morning.
Police confirmed a vehicle struck Hite around 4 p.m. May 22 near the intersection of Melrose Avenue and Kennedy Parkway, a half mile west of the Iowa City West High School. Kennedy Parkway heads north into a group of homes off of Melrose. The posted speed limit on Melrose in that area is 35 MPH. The posted speed limit on Kennedy Parkway is 25 MPH.
Iowa City Police has not revealed the driver's name, citing an ongoing investigation. Hermiston told the Press-Citizen that no charges had been filed in an email Monday afternoon.
“The crash remains under investigation and we are not releasing any additional information at this time,” Hermiston said.
The unnamed driver did not report any injuries, police said.
An email request by the Press-Citizen Friday, June 2 to view a physical copy of the accident report under rights supported by Iowa Code Chapter 22 was denied.
Hite was a National Guard soldier a few weeks from retirement, according to a GoFundMe page created on May 25. He was a father and a husband, according to the GoFundMe.
Corey Hite, organized by Sarah Latham
Hite was checked into extensive critical at the University of Iowa Hospital and Clinics after the accident on May 22, according to a CaringBridge page.
He was “rushed to the hospital” for life-threatening injuries which included a skull fracture, a pelvic fracture and holes in a lung as well as a kidney, according to the CaringBridge site. Hite was also suffering from brain swelling.
A total of $4,430 had been donated to Hite’s GoFundMe page as of Monday afternoon.
The Cedar Rapids-based nonprofit Salute to the Fallen Foundation also raised money for Hite according to a Facebook post.
Brandon Hurley contributed to this article.
Paris Barraza covers entertainment, lifestyle and arts at the Iowa City Press-Citizen. Reach her at PBarraza@press-citizen.com or 319-519-9731. Follow her on Twitter @ParisBarraza