The driver of a Jeep Cherokee wanted in connection with a fatal hit-and-run pedestrian accident Thursday remained at large this week, as the Fallston community mourned the death of a 44-year-old electrician and local recreation teams coach.
Christian "Chris" John Widomski was struck near his home in the 2800 block of Harford Road while walking behind a snow blower he had borrowed from a neighbor, according to Maryland State Police.
It had snowed all day, and Mr. Widomski was struck about 6:50 p.m., Fallston Volunteer Fire Company spokesman Dave Williams said. A Kingsville Volunteer Fire Company ambulance transported him to University of Maryland Upper Chesapeake Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead, Williams said.
State Police said Mr. Widomski was struck from behind by a dark colored Jeep Cherokee that did not stop. The Jeep continued north on Harford Road toward Route 152, according to State Police news release.
Witnesses told police that the Jeep appeared to lose control before striking the victim, though State Police Sgt. Jay Griffin said the vehicle's speed was more of a factor than the road conditions.
"[The driver] was traveling at a high rate of speed — the snow didn't have anything to do with the collision," Griffin said. He noted, however, that the snow was what caused the victim to be walking in the roadway.
Mr. Widomski coached basketball, soccer and baseball with the Fallston Recreational Sport Program and worked as an electrician for Electrico, Co., according to an obituary from Ruck Towson Funeral Home, Inc.
He attended Little Flower Parochial School in Baltimore's Mayfield neighborhood and Calvert Hall College in Towson, as well as the University of Nebraska in Lincoln, according to the obituary.
He loved collecting baseball and sports memorabilia and was remembered by his family and friends as a man with "a great enthusiasm for life," according to the obituary.
A State Police accident report indicates Mr. Widomski was at fault in the accident, as he was walking in the road.
One neighbor, however, said traffic on the hilly stretch of Harford Road has long been dangerous and residents had recently pushed to lower the speed limit in the Reckord Road area.
"It's really turning into a Daytona or Indianapolis [race track]," Bob Tombaugh said Monday afternoon.
He has lived across the street from Mr. Widomski since 1961 and remembers when traffic was so rare "kids could sled on Harford Road."
Tombaugh did not know Mr. Widomski personally and did not witness the accident. He did say the road was slippery, however, after Thursday's snowstorm.
"It was snow-covered until the following morning," he said.
Troopers are still searching for the Cherokee, which has a lift kit, meaning it sits higher off the road than a regular Jeep. The vehicle also has flared fenders and a silver push bumper.
They have no updates in the case, State Police spokesperson Sgt. Marc Black said late Monday morning.
Anyone with information is asked to call 410-879-2101.
Viewings for Mr. Widomski will be held at Ruck Towson Funeral Home,1050 York Road (Beltway exit 26) on Tuesday from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Chris Widomski Memorial Fund at gofundme.com or the Fallston Recreational Sports Program.
Justin Fenton of The Baltimore Sun contributed to this article.