Police identify teen hit, killed by SUV

DEPEW, N.Y. (WIVB) - A teen girl was struck and killed early Monday morning in Depew.

Police say around 7:05 a.m. Monday, a black Toyota SUV driven by a 35-year-old Lancaster man was traveling east on Broadway when it struck 18-year-old Ashley Creighton of Depew. Creighton was waiting at the Metro bus stop on her way to a doctor's appointment.

The vehicle then slammed into Penora's Pizzeria.

Creighton was pronounced dead at the scene. Police say the driver who struck her and was returning home from working the overnight shift and he may have fallen asleep.

Creighton worked just down the street at the McDonald's. Her co-workers set up a makeshift memorial on Monday, including her apron, hat and flowers. A memorial is being planned at the Dairy Queen near where the accident took place for 8 p.m. on Monday.

As for the pizzeria, no one was inside when the SUV crashed into it. The building has extensive damage. Gary Sinicki, one of the partners at Penora's Pizzeria said the water lines and electricity are down. The brick siding is also broken. The building is currently uninhabitable and all operations have been shut down for a couple of days until repairs are made.

"The building can be repaired, but the tragedy is for families involved," said Sinicki.

After the crash, a police chaplain was on the scene to help console the distraught driver.

Police say no charges have been filed against the driver because detectives have to complete their investigation. They’re looking into whether drugs, alcohol or texting contributed to the fatal incident.

Police have not yet released the name of the driver.