Witnesses: Pedestrian Fatally Struck by Car Was Outside Crosswalk

LAUREL, MD — A 19-year-old pedestrian was struck and killed by a car in Laurel Friday morning as she tried to cross a busy street outside a crosswalk, authorities said.

The incident occurred just after 6 a.m. at Route 197 near Morris Drive.

Laurel Police say Helene Audrey Ngatou Ngassa was walking across the roadway when she was struck by a vehicle traveling northbound on Route 197.

Ngassa was taken to Prince George’s County Hospital, where she was pronounced dead. Her family has been notified.

An autopsy will be conducted in Baltimore to determine the official cause of death.

Investigators say the driver, a 66-year-old man from Upper Marlboro, remained at the scene and cooperated with authorities.

Witnesses told police the driver had a steady green light at the time and that Ngassa was not using the crosswalk. Police are still investigating and have not confirmed whether or not the victim was in the crosswalk.

Route 197 northbound at Morris Drive was shut down for more than three hours during the investigation.

Anyone with information about the accident is asked to call Sgt. Boswell at 301-498-0092.