Detectives with the Starke County Sheriff’s Department continue to investigate a hit-and-run accident that resulted in the death of a Grovertown man.
Christopher Howard, 33, was last seen leaving a friend’s house at 2 a.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 16 in the area of 1025 E. and 50 N. in Starke County. He was reported missing that afternoon and officers found his vehicle in the area of 900 East and 500 North two hours later. Police noted in a press release that the car was involved in a collision and footprints were observed leaving the scene.
Officers later found Howard’s body just along U.S. 30 just west of State Road 23 in Grovertown. Police say there was evidence at the scene that indicated that Howard was struck by a motor vehicle that fled the scene. Starke County Coroner Kris Rannells confirmed that Howard died instantly of multiple systems blunt force trauma, including massive head, chest and abdominal injuries which are consistent with a hit-and-run accident.
This is an ongoing investigation. If you have information about the incident, call the Starke County Sheriff’s Department at (574) 772-3771.
