Investigators search for clues in death of UNM student

ALBUQUERQUE (KRQE) - Investigators have now identified the pedestrian killed on I-40 over the weekend as 20-year-old Jennifer Bobrick of Santa Fe.

There’s still a lot of mystery surrounding why a young woman would be walking on the freeway in the first place.

The UNM student was found in the early hours of Saturday morning, struck and killed by a car.

Investigators are now trying to piece together what happened that led up to that fatal moment.

Brobrick was an art student at UNM – described as vivacious and fun-loving by her friends.

“Se had the biggest heart out of anyone I've ever known. She loved meeting new people and was spontaneous and loved traveling and painting,” said friend Eustice.

Those same friends were shocked to hear Bobrick’s body was found on this area of I-40 by Carnuel early Saturday morning.

Whoever stuck and killed her, drove off.

“We're trying to find out a couple things. One, why was Ms. Bobrick out on Interstate 40 at 3:30 in the morning walking, and two, what vehicle actually hit her,” said Deputy Aaron Williamson with the Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Department.

To add to the mystery, her vehicle was found on Frontage Road, just south of where she was found on I-40.

Sheriff’s deputies say it looks like her car hit a boulder before she got out.

Right now, they don’t suspect foul play – and aren’t investigating it as a homicide. 

“ Based on the fact that her vehicle was located in close proximity to where she was found, there's no indication there's anything suspicious about that,” he said.

But friends say something about the story doesn’t seem right.

“It doesn't make sense why she was just on a highway and her car wasn't there. It doesn't add up,” said Eustice.

The Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office is still searching for whoever hit her. Anyone with information is asked to call (505) 798-7000. 

They found pieces of a vehicle’s lights near the scene – so they believe whatever vehicle hit her should have some front-end damage.