‘Beloved’ College Student, 20, Killed in Hit and Run While Jogging: ‘She Was the Kind of Person Everyone Wanted to Be’

LAWRENCE, KANSAS | November 9, 2025 — A heartbreaking tragedy has struck the University of Kansas community after a beloved student was killed in a hit-and-run crash while out for a jog near campus late Saturday evening. The devastating incident has left classmates, professors, and residents of Lawrence in shock and mourning, as police now urgently appeal to the public for help identifying the driver responsible.

According to the Lawrence Police Department, officers were dispatched around 9:20 p.m. after receiving multiple 911 calls reporting that a pedestrian had been struck by a vehicle near the intersection of Bob Billings Parkway and Crestline Drive, just a short distance from the university’s main campus. When emergency responders arrived, they found the student lying on the roadside with severe injuries. Despite lifesaving efforts by paramedics, the victim was pronounced dead at the scene.

Investigators say the driver fled immediately after the collision, leaving the young woman behind. Surveillance footage from nearby businesses is being reviewed, and police believe the suspect’s vehicle may have sustained front-end damage, possibly to the bumper or windshield. Authorities have not yet released the name of the victim, pending notification of family, but she has been described as a promising KU undergraduate in her early 20s.

“This was a senseless, devastating act,” said Lawrence Police Chief Rich Lockhart in a press conference Sunday morning. “Someone out there knows what happened or recognizes the vehicle involved. We are asking anyone with information—no matter how small—to come forward. A family deserves answers, and our community deserves justice.”

The tragedy has reverberated throughout the University of Kansas, where the victim was well-known among classmates and faculty. Friends say she was an active student who loved running, volunteering, and being involved in campus life. She had plans to graduate next spring and was considering a career in health sciences.

“She was the kind of person who made everyone feel welcome,” said one of her close friends. “Always positive, always smiling, always encouraging others. Running was her outlet—her way to clear her mind. It’s unthinkable that something like this could happen while she was just doing something she loved.”

The KU Chancellor, Douglas A. Girod, released a statement Sunday expressing deep sorrow over the student’s death. “The entire Jayhawk community grieves this tragic loss,” Girod said. “Our hearts are with her family, friends, and all who knew her. We are committed to supporting them during this incredibly difficult time.”

Residents in the area say the stretch of Bob Billings Parkway where the crash occurred is known for its heavy traffic and limited lighting at night. Many are calling on city officials to improve pedestrian safety, particularly in areas frequently used by students and joggers.

“I walk this road all the time,” said one local resident. “Cars speed down here, especially late at night. Something has to change—no one else should lose their life like this.”

Police have established a dedicated tip line for anyone with information about the hit-and-run driver or vehicle. They are specifically asking residents and businesses in the area to check doorbell cameras, dashcams, or surveillance footage between 9:00 and 9:30 p.m. Saturday night. Investigators believe the suspect may have fled westbound toward Kasold Drive immediately after the collision.

The Lawrence Police Department is working closely with the Kansas Highway Patrol and KU Public Safety to track leads. Officers say they will not rest until the person responsible is found and brought to justice.

Meanwhile, a candlelight vigil is being planned on campus at Potter Lake early next week to honor the student’s memory. Friends and classmates are expected to gather to share stories, light candles, and support one another through the grief.

In the wake of this tragedy, the Lawrence community is rallying together—united in grief but determined to seek justice. For many, the loss serves as a painful reminder of how fleeting life can be and how one act of recklessness can change countless lives forever.

As police continue their investigation, one message has become clear among the University of Kansas community:

“She was one of us—a Jayhawk, a friend, a light. We won’t stop until the person who did this is found.”

Anyone with information is urged to contact the Lawrence Police Department at (785) 832-7509, or Crime Stoppers of Lawrence and Douglas County at (785) 843-TIPS (8477). Anonymous tips are welcome.