24-year-old attempting to rollerblade across the entire US killed in hit-and-run

SALINE COUNTY, Kan. (KWCH/Gray News) — A Norwegian man attempting to rollerblade across the U.S. was killed in a hit-and-run in Kansas, officials said.

The Saline County Sheriff’s Office identified the man as 24-year-old Joachim Lanham.

Lanham was documenting his rollerblading journey across the U.S. on Instagram. According to a post from his family, he was hit by an SUV on day 22 of his journey from New York to Los Angeles.

The Saline County Sheriff’s Office said Lanham was found injured in a ditch on Sept. 5 near Salina, Kansas.

Officials said Lanham was spotted in the ditch by an off-duty first responder.

He was severely injured and died at a Wichita hospital on Sept. 11.

“His brother Michael was with him, holding his hand throughout the week and at the very end,” his family said in an Instagram post.

The family continued: “We estimate 40 minutes before the accident, he called and had a long phone call with his Mum and Dad. During this call he expressed what long distance roller blading meant to him. We as his family are so thankful for all the support you have given him on his wild adventures, they meant the world to him.”

The sheriff’s office said the alleged hit-and-run driver came forward. The agency provided the following statement to KSAL:

“An 82-year-old female said she had been driving a 2013 Ford Edge SUV going west on Country Club Road. She stated that she thought she hit something, turned around to check the area, but didn’t see anything, so she continued her journey home.”

The sheriff’s office said the Saline County attorney will review evidence to determine if the driver will face charges.