NORTH OLMSTED, Ohio — The driver of a red Hummer that struck a 70-year-old man, severely injuring him, has been identified and interviewed, according to an update provided North Olmsted police detective Dan Barrett.
The driver has been identified as a 37-year-old man from Brookpark. His identity has not been released because he has not been charged for his alleged role in the hit and run.
On Sunday at around 6:40 p.m., the victim, Rich Ruscin, 70, of North Olmsted, was struck by the Hummer outside his home on Clague Road while attempting to help out a driver in a separate crash.
His wife, Susan Babiasz, was forced to wonder if she would have to live without her husband.
“To leave somebody in the road who's half-conscious and fighting for his life,” Babiasz said. “It just took the wind out of my sails.”
Ruscin was rushed to a nearby hospital where he received multiple blood transfusions and is recovering from a fractured femur, sternum, and pelvis, along with several other broken bones.
“I answered the phone and all of a sudden I hear, ‘Hi, honey. How are you doing?’ And I'm like, ‘Oh my God,’” Babiasz said.
Doctors told Babiasz her husband will need to recover in the hospital for several months and will require extensive outpatient rehab once he’s released.
“They were all surprised because they really thought that he was going to die,” Babiasz said. “They didn't think he would last but he did. He proved everybody wrong.”
North Olmsted police said charges are expected in the future once follow-up interviews and the investigation are completed.
