Authorities have identified the woman killed in a tragic hit-and-run crash in Modesto last week and are now asking the public for help in locating the vehicle involved in the deadly incident.
The Stanislaus County Coroner’s Office identified the victim as Sarah Poplasky, 44, of Modesto.
According to the California Highway Patrol, the crash occurred at approximately 8:20 p.m. on April 24 along Riverside Drive, south of Nathan Avenue. Officers arriving at the scene found Poplasky lying in the roadway with injuries consistent with being struck by a vehicle. She was pronounced dead at the scene.
CHP officials stated that Poplasky was initially standing on the east shoulder of Riverside Drive before she entered the roadway and moved into the path of northbound traffic. She was first struck by a 2000 Ford pickup truck driven by a 59-year-old Modesto man, who remained at the scene and cooperated with authorities.
After the first impact, Poplasky reportedly came to rest in the northbound lane, where she was struck a second time by another vehicle traveling behind the pickup, described as a white sedan, possibly a Nissan or another imported model. Authorities said the driver of that vehicle did not stop and fled the scene.
In a social media post released this week, CHP said investigators are actively searching for the white sedan believed to have been involved. Officials noted the vehicle may have damage to its lower front bumper and was last seen traveling northbound on Riverside Drive following the collision.
A CHP spokesperson stated that preliminary findings suggest Poplasky may have entered the roadway intentionally, though the investigation remains ongoing and no final conclusions have been announced.
The intersection of Riverside Drive and Nathan Avenue was closed for approximately 90 minutes as officers worked the scene and conducted the investigation.
CHP is urging anyone with information about the white sedan or the crash to contact CHP Modesto Detective Aaron Norseen at 209-545-7440.
