Trooper K.D. Mills said thus far the mirror found at the crash scene does not match those on the Taurus.
Mills said the vehicle could be a Mercury or even a Ford sport utility vehicle.
Troopers will contact dealers Monday to try to match the part number with a vehicle or vehicles it could have been installed on.
Mills said the state Highway Patrol is still looking for a champagne or silver vehicle with left front end damage and a missing left side view mirror which struck and killed a 47-year-old Roanoke Rapids woman on Branch Avenue in the Lincoln Heights community.
Mills said Sheila Brinson was struck while walking in the roadway shortly before 1:30 a.m., possibly in the center lane.
She was walking against traffic when a champagne or silver Ford traveling at a high rate of speed crossed the center line and struck her in a straight part of Branch Avenue.
The car’s left front struck the woman and then it appears the force may have pushed her onto the hood where her body struck the left side view mirror, removing it. The force then threw Brinson a good distance forward and she was found dead at the scene.
The mirror had a Ford imprint on it and Mills initially said he believed the car may have been a Taurus.
There were no witnesses to the collision although two people stated they heard it and other witnesses said they saw a gold or silver Ford or Toyota passing by at a high rate of speed.
Investigation centers on finding the car and determining whether Brinson was intentionally struck or whether the driver did not see her because she was wearing dark clothing.
Mills said Brinson lived on Flax Lane in the Lincoln Heights community. It has not been determined whether she was going home or leaving home when she was hit.
Anyone with information is encouraged to call the Highway Patrol at 252-536-2224 or Crimestoppers at 252-536-2224.
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