CINCINNATI — Authorities are investigating the death of a woman who was struck by a police cruiser in a Cincinnati park on Tuesday.
     
State Highway Patrol Sgt. Matt Hamilton said Cincinnati Police Officer Marty Polk was patrolling Washington Park when he hit 48-year-old Joann Burton, who was lying under some blankets on the grass.

She was taken to University Hospital, where she was pronounced dead less than an hour after the officer called for help. Police said Burton initially appeared to have leg injuries and was talking when rescuers arrived. 

Officer Polk has undergone drug and alcohol testing, which is standard procedure, ONN affiliate WKRC-TV reported. The department has not said whether he'll be placed on leave during the investigation into the incident.
     
Dozens of people gathered in the park for a memorial service Tuesday night. Burton's husband and several of her children were in attendance.  

The Cincinnati Homeless Coalition said it has retained an attorney to represent the family's interests, WKRC-TV reported.   

Authorities say an autopsy will be conducted Wednesday.

Stay with ONN and ONNtv.com for additional information.

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©2010 By ONN. WKRC-TV in Cincinnati contributed to this report.