Lakewood police are investigating after a 58-year-old man who worked in local TV news was struck by a vehicle and later died Wednesday night.
Police were called to Madison Avenue near Orchard Grove Avenue around 6:15 p.m. for reports of a pedestrian struck.
When police arrived, they found 58-year-old Vasilios Safos. He was transported to Fairview Hospital, where he later died. Cleveland 19 confirmed the man, known to viewers as Bill Safos, was a former reporter for its station.
“Anyone who had the privilege to work with Bill could tell you what a warm and genuine person he was. He cared deeply for his family, his friends, and his community. Bill’s passion for people made him a great reporter and he was right in front on some of the biggest stories in Northeast Ohio. This is a difficult day for everyone who knew him. Our prayers are with his family,” said Cleveland 19 News Director Brian Sinclair.
According to police, the vehicle was heading westbound when it struck Safos, who, police said, appeared to be "attempting to cross Madison Avenue from north to south outside of a crosswalk."
The driver remained at the scene.
The crash remains under investigation.
