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Iowa National Guard soldier dies 2 weeks after crash in Iowa City
Cedar Rapids man was out for a jog when struck; police still investigating
Jun. 5, 2023 3:23 pm
An Iowa National Guard soldier who was three weeks away from retirement from the Guard has died after being struck by a vehicle May 22 in Iowa City.
The Iowa City Police Department confirmed Monday that Corey J. Hite, 45, of Cedar Rapids, died Sunday morning nearly two weeks after the crash. The department had not previously identified the pedestrian hit in the crash, which happened just after 4 p.m. that day at the intersection of Melrose Avenue and Kennedy Parkway.
The police department also hasn’t released information about the driver of the vehicle that struck the soldier, or whether any charges related to the crash are being contemplated. The Gazette requested a recording of the 911 call related to the crash, but the request was denied because police said the crash remained under investigation.
Hite was out for a jog when he was hit. He has spent the last couple of weeks in the hospital with serious injuries, including a pelvis fracture, multiple skull fractures, holes in his lung and kidney and brain swelling, according to a GoFundMe page started on behalf of the family. The fundraising page had raised over $4,600 by Monday afternoon.
According to information posted on behalf of Hite’s family to a CaringBridge site, the family met last week with doctors to discuss Hite’s injuries and the potential outlook for his life. Hite’s brain injuries affected parts of his brain that regulate basic life functions, and so it seemed unlikely he would be able to return to normal life, the site states.
“After much discussion, reflection, and prayer, the family made the very difficult decision to remove all lifesaving interventions that are keeping Corey alive,” the site states.
Hite was moved to a hospice care unit closer to his family until he died Sunday morning. The family announced his death on the CaringBridge site, stating, “It is with great sadness that our beloved Corey has passed away and gained his wings today.”
Comments: (319) 398-8328; emily.andersen@thegazette.com
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