Norwood Police: few leads in fatal hit-and-run investigation

By Natalie Feulner, Town Correspondent

An investigation into a fatal hit-and-run accident earlier this month in Norwood will continue even though police are frustrated by the lack of leads to follow.

Ellie Jacobs, 70, of Norwood died Dec. 21 from injuries sustained after she was hit by a vehicle on Dec. 7 while walking near Washington and Howard streets at about 5:46 p.m., police said.

Very little evidence was left at the scene and witnesses’ description of the vehicle and driver was vague, Norwood police said.

"This investigation has been very frustrating because we don't have any leads to go on, when she was struck, there really was no evidence left behind and very little description of the vehicle and driver provided by witnesses who have come forward,” Norwood police spokesman Kevin Grasso said Thursday.

Two witnesses spoke with police the night of the accident, but, they had little information about what happened. According to the police report however, they did say the vehicle, possibly a dark-colored Toyota, left the scene without slowing or stopping.

As of Friday, no arrest had been made and though the investigation will continue, police said they have no additional details at the time which makes the search for a driver difficult.

On Thursday, Jonathan Jacobs, Mrs. Jacobs’ son urged anyone with information to go to police right away.

“There is no way the person who did this doesn’t know and they probably told somebody and need to come forward,” Jonathan Jacobs said. “Let people know, tell the police, even if it’s just that you notice a car with front end damage.”

Over the past few weeks, Grasso said police have monitored the area around the time the accident happened watching for a car that matches the description given or with front end damage. However, no leads have surfaced from that effort either.

So now, they too are just hoping more witnesses will come forward.

"Our plea as police is to ask people to please come forward because at this time, we have no leads at all and it is very difficult to go forward,” he said.

Natalie Feulner can be reached at natalie.feulner@gmail.com.