A 64-year-old Maryland woman has died after being struck by a car while walking home from a Target store, leaving her family grieving and hoping the driver responsible will be found.
Melissa Nocho was walking along Reisterstown Road in Pikesville, Baltimore County, on the evening of September 24 when the crash occurred. Her family said she was returning home from a nearby Target store and had to cross the busy road.
According to investigators, officers responded to the 1700 block of Reisterstown Road at around 9:15 p.m. after receiving reports that a pedestrian had been hit by a vehicle. When they arrived, they found Nocho seriously injured. The driver had already left the scene.
Nocho was taken to a nearby hospital with life-threatening injuries. Despite receiving medical care, she died on September 30, several days after the collision.
Family Remembers a Woman Who Brought Everyone Together
For Nocho’s relatives, her death has left a painful void in a family that describes her as a loving and vibrant presence.
Her niece, Zariah Lewis, recalled how quickly the ordinary walk home turned into a devastating tragedy. She said the vehicle was traveling at a very high speed and that the impact sent her aunt several feet into the air.
Lewis also spoke about the kind of person Nocho was, remembering her as someone whose warmth and energy could brighten the lives of those around her.
Nocho was a mother, grandmother and aunt who played an important role in keeping her family connected. Her relatives said she was full of life and had a special ability to bring people together.
For the family, the loss is made even harder by the fact that the person believed to be responsible has not yet been located.
Police Search for the Driver
Investigators identified the vehicle involved as a black Hyundai Elantra. Police have released an image of the sedan and a person believed to be connected to the incident as they continue working to identify and locate the driver.
Leaving the scene of a serious crash can make an already traumatic situation even more difficult for a victim’s loved ones. In cases involving pedestrians, investigators may examine vehicle damage, surveillance footage, witness accounts and other evidence to reconstruct what happened.
However, authorities have not publicly established all the circumstances surrounding Nocho’s death, including the vehicle’s exact speed or the events immediately before the collision.
A Community Left Waiting for Answers
Reisterstown Road is a busy route in the Pikesville area, where pedestrians and drivers share road space. The crash is a reminder of the risks people face when crossing heavily traveled roads, particularly after dark.
For Nocho’s family, though, the immediate concern is finding the person responsible and getting answers about what happened that night.
They are now left remembering a woman they loved deeply while waiting for investigators to make progress in the case.
Anyone who witnessed the September 24 collision or has information about the black Hyundai Elantra is encouraged to contact the Baltimore County Police Department. Information from witnesses could help investigators piece together the events and move the investigation forward.
