22-year-old Kent State University student killed in hit-and-run crash

A 22-year-old university student was killed in a hit-and-run crash in Franklin Township, Ohio, on Monday.

Colin Vinh Pho, who was a Kent State University student, was riding his electric scooter eastbound on County Road 148 near the intersection of State Route 261 when a vehicle fatally hit him from behind and fled the scene at about 9:30 p.m. on Aug. 22.

Pho was taken to the University Hospital Portage Medical Center for treatment and then transported to the University Hospitals Main Campus in Cleveland, where he was later pronounced dead, according to the State Highway Patrol.

Authorities are searching for the suspect whose vehicle is possibly a light-colored 2006 to 2010 model of Dodge Charger, Dodge Magnum or Chrysler 300. The vehicle’s side mirror is missing, and the car is likely damaged in the front area and the windshield.

“We are deeply saddened to learn about the death of Colin Pho,” Kent State University said in a statement released by WKYC. “An Ashtabula native, Colin was a junior at Kent State University majoring in computer science with a concentration in game programming. He received his Associate of Science degree from Kent State in May 2022 and was registered for fall 2022 classes to pursue a bachelor’s degree. The Kent State community sends its thoughts and prayers to Colin’s family, friends and all who knew and loved him.”

Colin, who was the oldest of five children, was easy to get along with and was a model big brother to his siblings, according to his parents.

“Being an older brother, he did take the responsibility of watching them really well,” Colin’s father Jonathan Pho told WKYC. “Some moments he’s very quiet when he is thinking about things, [other] moments he’s just outgoing, totally rambunctious.”

The victim’s family is asking for answers and pleading for the suspect to come forward.

“This is my boy. I know that whoever did this is scared and doesn’t want to come forward, but they have to face the reality that my son died because of this incident,” Pho said.

The Ohio State Highway Patrol is urging anyone with information regarding this case to contact them at 330-297-1441.

Featured Image via WKYC

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