Keith Brown, 57, of Bryan has been identified as the victim of the fatal hit-skip accident that occurred on U.S. 6 between Country Road 4.50 and the St. Joseph River Bridge on Thursday, February 16. Brown had been employed as lineman by the Village of Edgerton since 2005.

The driver who had struck Brown fled the scene and Brown died within minutes from his injuries despite the best efforts of a nearby medical technician who left his job at a nearby factory to render aid.

The Williams County Coroner’s report indicates that the cause of Brown’s death was blunt force trauma to the head and neck. Toxicology reports are not expected to be a factor in the on-going investigation but are being run as a matter of procedure.

There were no witnesses to the accident. However, a reconstruction of the scene indicated that the vehicle involved would likely have damage contained to the right front of the vehicle, with a possible broken head light included. A vehicle has been located and seized in connection to the accident and the driver is being questioned. Charges will remain pending until the investigation is complete and no identification of the driver will be given until and unless an indictment is filed.

Chelsie Firestone can be reached at chelsie@thevillagereporter.com