An 18-year-old Grand Valley State University student will face a hit-and-run charge after a contracted security officer was struck and killed on the university's Allendale Township campus, campus police and local reports said this week. WOOD-TV reported on October 20 that GVSU police are pursuing the hit-and-run charge, and WGHN reported on Wednesday, October 21, that the student will be charged in the deadly crash.

The crash happened at about 1:15 a.m. on Friday, October 16, on West Campus Drive. According to WGHN, the 69-year-old security officer was turning away an unauthorised vehicle at a campus checkpoint when she was hit by the student, who was leaving the campus. The student was later arrested and taken into custody, the university told students in a campus-wide email. Authorities have not publicly released the student's name, and the charge is an allegation at this stage.

The officer was identified by Grand Rapids Community College as Debra “Debbie” Lynn Smith, a healthcare trainer in GRCC's Medical Assistant program who was working on the GVSU campus as a contracted, third-party security officer. GVSU said it was not releasing further information about the victim out of respect for her family.

“Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family and friends of the victim, who was working on our campus to help keep our community safe,” GVSU President Philomena Mantella said. GRCC President Kathryn Rogalski said Smith was “part of our shared commitment to helping students prepare for meaningful careers,” and extended condolences to her family, friends, students and colleagues.

The checkpoint where Smith was working was part of restricted late-night campus access — entry limited to students, employees, pre-registered guests and approved vehicles between 10 p.m. and 5 a.m. — introduced after a series of campus security incidents, including vehicle break-ins, according to WGHN. No court date or further charging details had been publicly released as of Wednesday.