The family of a 25-year-old woman was devastated after she was senselessly killed while driving through a Taco Bell drive-thru in northeast Ohio.
Megan Keleman was simply waiting for her food at the fast food restaurant in Stow on Wednesday when a mysterious and tragic series of events occurred.
All of a sudden, a vehicle crashed into Keleman’s car from behind as she was standing in line – then the driver got out and approached her.
Witnesses at the scene recall the driver approaching Keleman as she sat in her own vehicle before shooting her and then turning the gun on himself.
The driver responsible for the apparent murder-suicide was identified as 53-year-old Jason Williams, also of Stow. Police said they had no evidence the two even knew each other.
Megan Keleman, 25, (pictured) was simply driving through the Taco Bell drive-thru in Stow on Wednesday when the tragedy occurred
People at the scene told police that Williams hit Keleman’s car after she honked as she turned into the drive-thru.
A When the incident occurred at 7:19 p.m. on Wednesday evening, a Taco Bell employee called Stow police – but it was too late to save the 25-year-old victim.
Both Keleman and Williams were pronounced dead at the scene from gunshot wounds. The Summit County Coroner will perform autopsies.
As detectives continue to investigate the mysterious and heartbreaking incident, Williams’ motive remains unclear.
Police Chief Jeffrey Film said authorities have no information suggesting that Williams and Keleman knew each other before the shooting.
Witnesses at the scene recall seeing the driver get out of his car and walk toward Keleman, who was sitting in her own vehicle … before shooting her and then turning the gun on himself
“As a police chief and community leader, I want to say this is a true tragedy. Not only have the Kelemans lost a daughter, but we as a community have lost one of our daughters,” said Chief Film.
Keleman was described as an animal lover by those who knew her – and her dog was in the car with her at the time of the horrific incident.
The dog has now been reunited with Keleman’s family.
A family statement said: “In light of recent events, our family is suffering the extremely painful loss of Megan Elizabeth Keleman.”
“We ask the media and the public to understand our privacy during this difficult time.
The driver responsible for the apparent murder-suicide was identified as 53-year-old Jason Williams (pictured), also from Stow
“We appreciate the community’s support and hope our desire for privacy is respected so we can continue to focus on supporting each other during this difficult time.”
Keleman recently graduated from Cleveland State University with a Master of Business Administration and a Bachelor of Science in Finance and Financial Management Services.
On her LinkedIn page, she described herself as a “child advocate and accountant.”
She worked for Shelter Care Inc., a Tallmadge, Ohio-based residential treatment program for children ages 6 to 18 with emotional or behavioral problems.
Williams’ previous criminal history includes a recent arrest for weapons possession in Summit County, according to 19 News.
Court records show he was out on bail for the weapons offense – and one of the bail conditions was that he was not allowed to possess firearms.
