Fairbanks

Woman walking on Fairbanks road struck and killed by vehicle, police say

A woman was struck and killed by a vehicle while walking on a Fairbanks road early Sunday, according to the Fairbanks Police Department.

According to a statement from FPD, officers responded just before 7 a.m. Sunday to the collision that killed 21-year-old Michaela R. Kitelinger, on Davis Road between Lathrop and Wilbur streets. Medics took Kitelinger to a local hospital, where she was pronounced dead.

According to the statement, Kitelinger had been in the Fairbanks Correctional Center just hours before she was killed.

"The initial investigation revealed that Kitelinger was arrested by Fairbanks police earlier that morning for DUI with a (breath alcohol content) of .185 and remanded," police wrote." It is unknown what time she was released from custody."

Officers had taken Kitelinger to the Fairbanks Correctional Center at about 5 a.m., the statement said.

Kitelinger was wearing dark clothing at the time she was hit, police said.

The driver who struck Kitelinger had been headed east along Davis Road to work at the time and saw her "in the center of the road," the statement said. The driver tried to avoid hitting her, according to accounts police received from both the driver and a witness in another vehicle. McCulloch said there are no streetlights on the stretch of Davis where the accident occurred, and the speed limit in the area is 40 mph.

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A blood draw was taken at Fairbanks Memorial Hospital from the driver, who didn't show any signs of impairment, FPD said.

"There is no indication the driver was speeding and they have not been charged at this time," police wrote. "The case will be forwarded to the District Attorney's Office for review."

Police ask anyone with more information about the collision to contact officer Dave Elzey by email at delzey@fairbanks.us or by phone at 907-450-6454.

Chris Klint

Chris Klint is a former ADN reporter who covered breaking news.

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