One person dead following early morning hit-and-run near the Rezanof Drive Dip

One person is dead following a hit-and-run incident discovered early Wednesday morning on West Rezanof Drive near Pier III.

The Kodiak Police Department responded to a call at approximately 6:20 a.m. from a citizen reporting a person laying on Rezanof near Pier III, which is the dock with the big crane.

According to a release from KPD issued at noon Wednesday, the person appeared to have been struck by a vehicle which left the scene of the collision.

Medics from the Kodiak Fire Department responded along with KPD officers and discovered the person was dead. No information regarding the sex of the victim has been released and KPD reports that it is withholding the person’s name pending notification of next-of-kin.

West Rezanof Drive was closed between the area of the “Dip” and Deadman’s Curve for the investigation, which includes assistance from the Alaska Wildlife Troopers, Coast Guard Police Department, and the Coast Guard Investigative Service.

According to the KPD police press release, a civilian employee from the Coast Guard Base and their vehicle have been detained in connection with the hit and run. The civilian employee was not named.

KPD reminds everyone that a criminal charge is merely an accusation of criminal wrongdoing. All persons charged with crimes are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty by a court of law.

Investigators are asking for the public’s help in this case.  Anyone driving in the area at the approximate time of the accident is requested to contact Detective Sergeant Kathleen Gambling at (907) 486-8000.

Rezanof is the only road in and out of town between downtown  and the Coast Guard Base, and traffic was blocked entirely, then partially during the go-to-work hours.

KPD said in their press release that the evidence was spread out, and it had to be documented and collected from the roadway.

“We appreciate everyone’s patience this morning during the road closure. We understand it caused many delays,” they said.

In addition to calling the KPD main phone number 486-8000, anonymous tips may be made to the Kodiak Crime Stoppers Hotline at 486-3113, or through the smart phone application “P3” by Anderson Software, LLC.

This is an on-going story and KMXT will have more information as it becomes available.