A family member of a 75-year-old Good Hope woman who was struck and killed at her mailbox Sunday has provided more details about the suspected vehicle in the hit-and-run wreck.

A family member who didn’t want to publicize his name Monday, said the vehicle is likely a dark blue or black Ford F-150 truck or Expedition based on damage left at the scene.

Helen Duke was found dead in a ditch Sunday afternoon after she was apparently struck by a vehicle that didn’t stop. Cullman County Coroner Jeremy Kilpatrick said it appeared Duke died from blunt force trauma, and her body will be sent to the Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences for an autopsy.

On Monday, troopers said they did not have a vehicle description in the case, which will likely hamper efforts to find the suspect. The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency posted on social media that the vehicle involved could have been a Ford with damage to passenger side mirror. 

A preliminary investigation suggests she was hit by a vehicle earlier in the morning and not discovered until hours later, reportedly by family members searching for her.

The family member said Monday that the mother of four was found by her children Sunday afternoon as they arrived at her home for a Mother’s Day lunch.

“She was just the sweetest, warmest, most loving and kind person you could ever meet,” he said. “She certainly didn’t deserve what happened to her.”

Good Hope firefighters were dispatched to the scene on shortly before 3 p.m. after Duke was discovered in the ditch concealed by tall grass. Schwaiger Road was shut down for traffic to allow investigators to process the scene.

Anyone with information about the wreck can contact Alabama State Troopers at 1-800-392-8011 or 1-800-392-8011 or the Decatur Trooper Post at 256-353-0631. 

Check back for updates.