DES MOINES — A 71-year-old woman who was ran over by a mini-van in a hit-and-run near Drake University has died.
According to Des Moines police detectives, the crash happened around 9:41 p.m. in the 1200 block of 33rd Street last Thursday. They got a call of a car vs. pedestrian crash.
First responders found 71-year-old Stephanie Markert in the road, suffering from multiple injuries. She was taken to a local hospital where she later died.
The street where Markert was hit isn’t a stranger to pedestrian traffic. Students walk up and down it all the time.
Genesas Buckhalton is in another sorority at Drake University. She told Local 5’s Lakyn McGee that the street is the main route to get to-and-from campus for many students.
“So, it really is scary to know there is someone out there just living their life knowing that they did this to someone. It’s terrifying,” Buckhalton said.
The suspect in this case is 41-year-old Isaias Flores-Morales. He is described as a Hispanic male, approximately 5’7” in height, and weighing approximately 185 pounds.
“We have no idea what brought him down that road,” said Sgt. Paul Parizek with the Des Moines Police Department, “There really is no destination for him down there.”
Sgt. Parizek hopes that someone knows where Flores-Morales is at and that they have “a little bit of heart and compassion” to realize that Markert’s friends and family are suffering.
“Just come forward and let us know where he is at,” he said.
The sorority confirmed Markert was the House Director, or House Mother, of Delta Gamma at Drake University.
Local 5 attempted to talk to the sorority, but there was no answer.
However, taped on the front door of the house was a note that said the girls are “heartbroken.”
Delta Gamma released this statement:
She filled our house with her vibrant energy and light and held all of our Delta Gamma sisters close to her heart. Our thoughts are with her family as they grieve and we are grateful for the support we have received from the Drake community and those who knew her… Steph’s lively personality and caring nature was felt by all and she will be dearly missed.
Statement from Delta Gamma after Stephanie Markert’s death
Markert’s family also released a statement on Thursday:
Stephanie Markert has passed away due to the injuries caused by the reckless actions of the hit-and-run driver near the Drake campus last Thursday night. So many friends and thousands of sorority “daughters” across the country join Stephanie’s children, grandchildren and family in mourning the loss of our mom. At this time, we are requesting privacy in order to plan and prepare for Stephanie’s celebration of life.
We appreciate your continued prayers for our family and Stephanie’s sorority family. We are grateful to the first responders, many doctors and staff of MercyOne and MercyOne Hospice who helped Stephanie in her care and transition. If anyone knows anything regarding the people involved or circumstances of this horrific tragedy, please do the proper thing and work with law enforcement agencies to solve this case, allowing her family to have healing and closure.
Statement from Markert’s family
Contact the police as soon as possible if you have any information on where Flores-Morales is.