Buick SUV struck woman on St. Francis de Sales Church parking lot in Coventry Township
January 11, 2026 | Coventry Township, OH
A 72-year-old woman lost her life after being struck by a vehicle in the parking lot of St. Francis de Sales Church near Manchester Road, according to authorities.
Maria Murawski, 72, was killed after a 2017 Buick SUV struck her in the parking lot of St. Francis de Sales Church near Manchester Road in Coventry Township.
The Summit County Sheriff’s Office identified the victim as Maria Murawski. The incident occurred around 12:05 p.m. on Jan. 11 in Coventry Township.
What Happened in the Crash?
Murawski was walking in the church parking lot when a 2017 Buick SUV, driven by a 90-year-old woman, struck her. Emergency responders transported Murawski to a nearby hospital, where she passed away shortly after noon.
- Date and Time: Jan. 11, approximately 12:05 p.m.
- Location: St. Francis de Sales Church parking lot, near Manchester Road, Coventry Township, OH
- Vehicle Involved: 2017 Buick SUV
- Driver: 90-year-old woman
- Outcome: Victim pronounced dead at hospital— no information on charges at this time
- Investigation Status: Ongoing by Summit County Sheriff’s Office
Why Do Pedestrian Accidents Like This Occur?
Pedestrian fatalities remain a pressing concern across the U.S., often linked to factors like driver inattention, road conditions, and visibility issues. In Ohio, such incidents have shown fluctuations in recent years.
The Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA) reported that 2,304 pedestrians were killed in crashes nationwide during the first half of 2024. In the Buckeye State, pedestrian deaths reached a peak of 176 in 2021 before declining: down 6% in 2022, 9% in 2023, and 17% through August 2024 to 84 fatalities, per the Ohio Department of Transportation.
Year |
Pedestrian Fatalities in Ohio |
National Context (GHSA) |
|---|
2021 |
176 (record high) |
Rising trend since 2009 |
2022 |
Decreased 6% |
Preventable with attentiveness |
2023 |
Decreased 9% |
Focus on visibility factors |
2024 (through Aug.) |
84 (down 17%) |
2,304 nationwide in first half |
Data sourced from Ohio Department of Transportation and GHSA.
Legal Insights
In cases such as this involving pedestrian collisions, thorough investigations play a crucial role in determining contributing factors and potential liability.
“Having the proper resources is extremely important to investigate a pedestrian accident case and prove negligence,” said Candice Bond, managing partner at Bond Legal and a national legal analyst for Newsline. “Road conditions, visibility, and lighting are all possible contributing factors considered and examined.”
“An accident reconstruction team is sometimes needed to help piece together what happened. All of these resources are necessary for helping clients receive monetary compensation for damages or a loss following a collision,” Bond added.
Key takeaways from legal perspectives on motor vehicle crashes:
- Drivers must yield to pedestrians in most scenarios, especially in parking areas and crosswalks.
- Families may pursue wrongful death claims for losses including income, companionship, pain and suffering, funeral costs, and emotional distress.
- Insurance pressures for quick settlements are common— professional advocacy ensures fair compensation.
- Professionals emphasize the need for detailed scene analysis to establish fault.
“It is almost always a driver’s duty to yield to any pedestrian,” said Stefano Formica, of counsel with Bond Legal. “Family members of wrongful death victims may seek damages for loss of income and companionship, pain and suffering, funeral expenses, and emotional distress following a tragic or catastrophic accident.”
“Insurance companies often try to pressure victims to settle for a quick payout for far less than the case is worth,” Formica noted. “However, an attorney will vigorously advocate for their client to ensure that they are treated with respect and compensated fairly.”
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Candice Bond, national legal analyst for Newsline, has extensive experience with fatal pedestrian accidents. If you or a loved one needs help, she offers free consultations.
(Candice Bond, our national legal analyst, is a Managing Partner at Bond Legal. Newsline can and does use quotes from prior interviews with our analysts for our news articles. If you would like to contact Bond Legal to help you, please call 866-985-6515 or use the submission box found on this page. Legal analysts quoted may or may not be licensed in your state).