A Notre Dame graduate died after he was struck by a car early Sunday morning when he left a local bar.
Ryan O'Connor, 24, a 2002 graduate, died as a result of injuries sustained in the crash that occurred at approximately 3:30 a.m. in the 1800 block of South Bend Ave., South Bend police officer William Kraus said in a news release.
Police said O'Connor had left the bar with a group of friends to walk to a local restaurant. Several in the group had already crossed South Bend Avenue at Vaness Street when O'Connor and another person stopped at the intersection.
According to a police statement, a witness said that O'Connor began to run across South Bend Avenue for an unknown reason, running into the path of a northbound car that struck him.
The car was driven by a 19-year-old South Bend resident who is a sophomore at Saint Mary's.
O'Connor, a West Chester, Pa., resident, was taken to Saint Joseph's Regional Medical Center where he was later pronounced dead.
Police said alcohol appears to be a factor in the accident.
Several dorm masses across Notre Dame's campus Sunday night prayed for both O'Connor and the driver.
