South Bend, Indiana – A woman was found dead in a business parking lot on Edison Road Wednesday evening, prompting a swift investigation that led to an arrest within hours.
According to the South Bend Police Department, officers responded around 7:35 p.m. to the 3200 block of Edison Road for reports of a downed person. The victim was pronounced dead at the scene, and her identity is being withheld pending notification of family.
Authorities said the St. Joseph County Fatal Crash Action Team (FACT) took over the investigation and quickly identified a suspect vehicle. Investigators later located the driver, identified as 61-year-old Deborah Leyba, who was taken into custody and booked into the St. Joseph County Jail.
The incident remains under investigation, with formal charges pending review by the St. Joseph County Prosecutor’s Office. An autopsy is scheduled for Friday in Kalamazoo to determine the exact cause of death.
Police have not released additional details about the circumstances leading up to the crash. Officials remind the public that all suspects are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
