ASHEVILLE, N.C. — An Asheville woman caught on camera hurling racist insults at a Charlotte couple has died after being hit by a fire department vehicle, ABC affiliate WLOS reported.
Officers responded to Patton Avenue Monday afternoon after reports of a pedestrian being struck in the roadway, the Asheville Police Department said.
Officers located Rachel Dawn Ruit suffering from life-threatening injuries. Ruit was taken to a hospital in critical condition, but she later died from her injuries.
Ruit’s racist rants and attacks on a black teenager and a woman in a hijab attracted international attention.
Officials said Ruit suffered mortal injuries after she was hit by an Asheville Fire Department pickup truck.
Asheville Police spokeswoman Christina Hallingse confirmed that Ruit died on July 14. Ruit had been arrested on July 4 after she was accused of ripping off a woman’s religious garment. She gained attention when she was captured on video using racial epithets and making threats.
It is not clear why she was in the road, but an investigation is underway.
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