BETHLEHEM TOWNSHIP — Gregory Cutcher, a 79-year-old resident of Bethlehem Township, died on May 28 at 2:12 p.m. at Cleveland Clinic Mercy Hospital from injuries sustained in a hit-and-run incident five days earlier. The Ohio State Highway Patrol announced his death on the afternoon of May 29.

At approximately 10:37 p.m. on May 23, a vehicle struck a tree on Hudson Drive SW east of Beth Avenue SW in Bethlehem Township, causing the tree to fall across the roadway. Cutcher and Janet Ellis, 69, who shared the same address, stopped at the scene after encountering the downed tree. Dylan Sweet, 21, of the Canton area, also stopped his vehicle at the location.

While the three individuals were standing near the tree, a second vehicle traveling east on Hudson Drive struck the already-fallen tree, which then hit all three people and knocked them to the ground. The vehicle involved in this second collision left the scene without stopping, according to the Ohio State Highway Patrol. Cutcher and Ellis were seriously injured in the incident.

An Erie Valley and Fire ambulance transported Cutcher to Cleveland Clinic Mercy Hospital, where he died five days later. Ellis was transported by another ambulance to Aultman Hospital. The Ohio State Highway Patrol described the hit-and-run vehicle as "a small, light-colored four-door sedan, potentially white, silver or gray." Authorities have asked the public to contact them at (330) 433-6200 with any information about the vehicle or its driver.