OVERLAND PARK, Kan. — October 29, 2025 — The Overland Park community is mourning after a tragic pedestrian accident early Tuesday morning, October 28, 2025, claimed the life of an elderly woman on Goddard Street, just west of Switzer Road. The Overland Park Police Department (OPPD) is actively investigating the fatal crash and is appealing to the public for help identifying the victim, who is believed to be a woman in her seventies.
According to preliminary information released by police, officers responded to the scene shortly after 6:10 a.m., following reports of a pedestrian struck by a vehicle in the dim morning hours. Upon arrival, emergency personnel discovered the woman lying unresponsive in the roadway. Despite immediate life-saving efforts by first responders, she was pronounced dead at the scene.
Investigators say the driver of the vehicle involved remained at the scene and is cooperating fully with authorities. No charges have been filed at this time, and police have not released the identity of the driver pending the outcome of the investigation. Initial assessments suggest that low visibility and early-morning lighting conditions may have been contributing factors in the tragic accident.
In a statement released Tuesday afternoon, Overland Park Police Department spokesperson Officer John Lacy shared condolences on behalf of the department and urged anyone who might have witnessed the crash or has information about the woman’s identity to come forward.
“This is a heartbreaking situation,” Lacy said. “We are working diligently to identify the victim and notify her family. We ask the community to please reach out if you recognize the description or may have seen her in the area prior to the incident.”
Authorities described the woman as approximately in her 70s, with short gray hair, and said she was wearing a dark-colored coat, blue jeans, and sneakers at the time of the crash. Police believe she may have been walking along Goddard Street when she was struck by a northbound vehicle.
Residents in the surrounding neighborhood expressed deep sadness upon learning about the tragedy. Many described the stretch of Goddard Street near Switzer as a heavily traveled area during morning hours, with limited lighting and no sidewalks on portions of the road.
“It’s just devastating,” said Linda Patterson, who lives a few blocks from the crash site. “That road is busy in the mornings, and it’s so dark before sunrise. My heart breaks for her and her family.”
The Overland Park Police Department’s Traffic Safety Unit is leading the investigation. Officers are reviewing surveillance footage from nearby businesses and residences in hopes of gathering additional details about the moments leading up to the crash.
This tragedy has sparked renewed calls from residents for improved pedestrian safety measures, including better lighting and additional crosswalks in residential areas that intersect with major roads. City officials have acknowledged the community’s concerns and say they will be reviewing safety data for the area.
As investigators continue to work through the details, community members have begun leaving flowers and candles near the site of the crash to honor the unidentified woman. The growing memorial stands as a solemn reminder of how quickly life can change and how deeply one person’s loss can touch an entire neighborhood.
Police urge anyone with information about the incident or the identity of the victim to contact the Overland Park Police Department Traffic Unit at (913) 895-6300 or remain anonymous by calling Crime Stoppers at (816) 474-TIPS (8477).
For now, the Overland Park community mourns together — grieving a life lost too soon and hoping that the woman’s loved ones will soon be located, so she may be remembered by name and laid to rest with dignity and love.
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