UPDATE: Suspect questioned in death of Mentor police officer

A suspect is being questioned in a hit-and-run crash that killed a Mentor police officer state Route 2 early in the morning of June 24.

According to a Twitter post Sunday afternoon by the city of Mentor and the Mentor Police Department, “A suspect is currently in custody and being questioned in relation to the fatal hit-and-run accident which occurred on SR-2 in Mentor a 1 AM this morning.”

According to a 6:19 a.m. news release June 24, the unidentified officer was hit about 1 a.m. while assisting with a traffic stop on the eastbound side of Roue 2 and was taken from the scene to TriPoint Medical Center in Concord Township, where he was pronounced dead, the Mentor news release states.

“The suspect vehicle is described as a late-model, dark-colored Jeep Wrangler which will have sustained damage to its right front and possibly right side,” the release reads. “The Mentor Police Department is actively pursuing all information leading to the whereabouts of the hit-and-run driver. The public is encouraged to assist in any way possible to help identify the vehicle and driver.”

Police and city officials are also asking area body shops to be on the lookout for the vehicle.