PITTSBURGH (KDKA) – Police are still trying to piece together an early Wednesday morning hit-and-run accident that claimed the life of a woman in McKeesport.

According to the Allegheny County Medical Examiner’s Office, the victim is identified as 56-year-old Lorraine Wilkes.

Allegheny County Police say Wilkes was struck between 4 a.m. and 4:45 a.m. in the 600-block of Lysle Boulevard in front of a Sunoco gas station, and was thrown onto a sidewalk near a bed of mulch.

KDKA’s Ralph Iannotti reports:

The driver did not stop, investigators said.

Police say Wilkes was found around 4:45 a.m. and taken to a local hospital for treatment. Authorities say she was alert and concious while being transported; however, she died two-and-a-half hours later from her injuries.

Wilkes lived next door to the gas station at the Senior Care Plaza, a family-owned personal care facility. On their website, the center is described as a place designed for seniors who can no longer care for themselves.

“The driver of the vehicle did not stop; we know that to be factual,” said Lt. Andrew Schurman, of Allegheny County Police. “The victim was transported to a local area hospital where several hours later she died.”

Neither police nor anyone at Senior Care Plaza would comment on why Wilkes may have been outside sometime before 5 a.m. or where she might have been going.

Investigators have also released the type of vehicle they believe may have been involved in the accident.

By using pieces of debris found at the scene, police say they believe the vehicle was a Jeep Cherokee manufactured between 1997 and 2001.

KDKA’s Brenda Waters reports:

Investigators canvassed the area looking for possible witnesses and checked to see nearby businesses for security cameras that may have captured images of the hit-and-run Jeep. They are still working to determine the color of the vehicle.

“We’re not definitive on whether this was an accidental thing or an intentional act. Regardless, the driver did not stop,” said Lt. Schurman.

Anyone with information on the case is asked to contact the McKeesport Police Department or the Allegheny County Homicide Unit at 412-473-1300.

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