Victim Of Chapel Hills Accident Identified

Colorado Springs police said on Wednesday that what they first believed to be a hit-and-run death, now appears to be an accident.

Elinor Granzow, 82, was waking into the Dillard’s portion of the mall with her husband, Kenneth, 78, when she was hit by an SUV shortly after 3 p.m. Tuesday. Video recorded minutes after the crash shows the white SUV stopped about 30 feet from the first-floor entrance of the store.

Elinor Granzow was trapped under the SUV when first responders arrived at the scene. Her husband was also hit, but suffered only minor injuries and was released from a hospital after treatment.

The grandson of the victim, Jeremiah Erickson, said the couple was hit by the SUV that rolled into them, possibly because the parking brake was not engaged. Police later elaborated that the vehicle may have been parked improperly or had an unknown mechanical problem.

Police said they have found the two people associated with the SUV and have spoken with them. An investigation will determine whether charges are filed.

“We’ve had some conflicting reports the whole time,” said police Sgt. Darrin Abbink. “But we are looking at videotape. We’re looking at evidence in the case. We’re talking to witnesses. Charges in this case could run from a parking violation to careless driving. If they didn’t take due care to park properly, it could be careless driving involving death — even though the person parked the car and left it unattended.”

Erickson says his grandparents were about to walk through the mall for exercise when the incident happened, and that it was an activity the couple often shared.

A memorial service for Elinor Granzow is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. Saturday at Pulpit Rock Church, 301 Austin Bluffs Parkway in Colorado Springs.