The Texas Department of Public Safety is asking for the public’s help in locating a vehicle that was involved in a hit-and-run accident that claimed the life of a Rye woman Wednesday night.
According to Sgt. Rob Willoughby, supervisor of the Liberty County DPS office, Teri Bellissima Rossi, 49, was walking home from a friend’s house along SH 146 north of Rye, just south of the Liberty-Polk county line, sometime between 10 p.m. and midnight when she was struck and killed by a vehicle. Rossi’s body was discovered around 7 a.m. Thursday by a passing motorist.
Debris was found in the roadway and near Rossi’s body that has narrowed down the search for the vehicle involved in the accident. A full headlight assembly for a Dodge Ram, possibly dark-grey to charcoal in color, was found at the scene. The assembly was used in Dodge Ram vehicles built between 2009 and 2018, Willoughby said.
Pct. 5 Justice of the Peace Wade Brown conducted an inquest at the scene and ordered an autopsy for Rossi. Willoughby said the autopsy should determine if Rossi was under the influence of alcohol or substances at the time of her death.
Authorities are asking for the public’s help in locating the vehicle involved in the accident. While DPS troopers are following some leads on the vehicle, more tips would be appreciated.
“There would be damage to the front driver’s side of the vehicle. The driver may be from Liberty or Polk county, or from another area,” Willoughby said. “If anyone sees a vehicle with damage to the front, dark grey or charcoal, please call us. Please get a license plate number for the vehicle or an address where the vehicle is located.”
To report a tip, call the DPS office at 936-391-3500 (leave a message if nobody is available), or call the Liberty County Sheriff’s Office at 936-336-4550 or CrimeStoppers at 1-800-392-7867.
My name is Dana King, I am Teri Ròssi’s brother. I would like to say something about my sister. That is, Teri was a very loving good hearted person and will be missed dearly. I love Teri and I always will remember my sister, and what an all around good person she was. I know in my heart that my sister is in God’s loving arms now and we will miss her with all our hearts. If you are the person who hit my sister and ran / why don’t you do yourself and everyone else a favor, go down to the sheriff’s dept. and turn yourself in. It’s the right thing to do. Teri will forever be in my memory’s as well as my family’s memory and she is missed and loved so much! RIP Teri, I miss you!!! Your brother, Dana King… God Bless.
Teri my beautiful friend I will always remember last Sunday when I took you to church and at the end of service you went up for prayer for your Mom. I love you and will miss you
Just curious, why are they worried about whether the laday was “under the influence of alcohol or substances at the time of her death”? Is she under suspicion of doing something wrong? She is the victim.
Drug and alcohol tests are part of all auto related fatalities in Texas. Prayers for her family and friends.
That section of Roadway has large shoulders. She had to be in the Road.
I’m praying that the person that did this to her will come forward. I only got to meet Teri one time but i know her brother and mother and both are grieving as I am sure most of the family is. Teri was kind and welcoming when I met her. She didn’t deserve to be left out there all alone. My condolences to her family and close friends. To the person who hit her-may you not find a moments peace until you come forward and do the right thing.