ELYRIA, Ohio — Family and friends of an Elyria woman are raising questions about her death this week. Carol Pitzer, 74, was hit and killed by an ambulance Monday afternoon.
“She was too beautiful, too loving for people. She liked cooking and baking and her grandbabies and her daughter and her son. She didn’t deserve this,” said Pat, a friend of Pitzer, who declined to give her last name.
According to the Elyria Police Department, Pitzer was riding a 3-wheel mobility scooter around the Riverview Plaza apartment building on East Avenue Monday afternoon.
Investigators believe the 74-year-old fell off of her chair as a LifeCare Ambulance was pulling out of the parking lot with a patient.
“They were leaving and the pedestrian was struck as they were exiting with the patient that was in the back of the squad," said Sgt. Aaron Varga.
Pitzer's fiance was unable to talk on camera Tuesday but told News 5 the couple was planning to get married this summer.
Friends remembered her as a kind neighbor who loved crafts, baking holiday desserts and serving as the treasurer of Riverview Plaza's resident council.
“She’s going to be sadly missed. She was a beautiful person. She had a beautiful soul," Pat said. "She would give you the shirt off her back, and that’s a fact.”
News 5 reached out to LifeCare Ambulance for comment but did not hear back by Tuesday evening when this story was published.
Investigators are looking at surveillance video from the apartment building, as well as dash camera footage from the ambulance involved. Police said it was too early to know whether the driver could face charges, but early information suggests the person was unaware Pitzer had been hit.
“It was an unfortunate accident and one where a life was lost. We’re still working through and giving the family time to grieve and just waiting to speak with the other half as well,” said Varga.
Elyria police ask anyone with information about the crash to contact the Sgt. Aaron Varga at 440-326-1308 or email varga@cityofelyria.org. Tips can also be submitted anonymously by texting TIPELYRIA and the tip to 84741.
If you're interested in helping Pitzer's family, click here.
