The year's first fatal hit-and-run accident occurred early Tuesday morning on the 1100 block of South Main Street in Harrisonburg.

The Harrisonburg Police Department continues to investigate the case and is searching for the suspect. Fifty-five-year-old Sherry Anderson died at the scene.

Anderson was out for a morning jog and witnesses say that she was not alone when she was struck by a car.

Robert Brown, a resident of South Main Street, said his wife woke him up when she heard the accident.

Brown says, "It's a warning to everybody to be careful about what they're doing. I mean, I've certainly walked across the street and maybe waited for traffic, in the median space, in the turn lane. I think we all have to be very very careful out here."

Anderson was employed by JMU and worked as the Education Consultant of the Shenandoah Valley Child Development Clinic in Harrisonburg.

Coworkers found out about the accident around 10 a.m. and were given the option to leave work, but all stayed to remain busy.

Penny Critzer, director of the Child Development Center, says that everyone was numb. Anderson was the type of person who lit up the room.

"I came dragging back in here Monday after being off and Sherry came bouncing in the door with that smile on her face. She was saying 'Happy New Year.' It was very contagious. She was always like that," says Critzer.

She says Anderson was very devoted to her job.

Critzer says, "We cover like nine counties and cities in this area and she would go out and do observations with the children and consult with their families and consult with school teachers and principals and she made such an impact on the lives of family and children. And that can't be replaced."

Carolyn Spitzer, a neighbor of the Anderson home, said that Anderson was heavily involved in the community.

"She did a lot of good for the community and children," says Spitzer. "She was very involved with her children and the swim teams and her church."

Critzer said Anderson had a lovely family. She was married and had three daughters and a son.

If you have any information on the deadly hit and run accident from Tuesday morning, you are asked to call Crime Solvers at 540-574-5050.