     ACCORDING TO INITIAL POLICE INVESTIGATION,  ON DECEMBER 20, 1996 THE DECEASED WAS A PEDESTRIAN CROSSING N.W. 15TH AVENUE JUST SOUTH OF 63RD STREET WHEN SHE WAS STRUCK BY AN UNKNOWN VEHICLE WHICH WAS TRAVELING SOUTHBOUND.  THE VEHICLE HAD STRUCK A 1987 FORD AND FLED THE SCENE PRIOR TO STRIKING THE DECEASED.   POLICE RESPONDED AND FOUND HER EXPIRED ON THE SCENE.