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How did Lisa Banes die? Actor, 65, was on way to meet wife Kathryn Kranhold

Kathryn Kranhold has sought help to find hit-and-run driver who killed Lisa Banes

The popular TV and film actress Lisa Banes died on Monday, June 14. Her death was confirmed by friends and family, who are mourning the actress on social media. Banes was battling a traumatic brain injury, to which she succumbed on Monday. 

Six months in, 2021 has already claimed some beloved stars like character actor Ned Beatty, Black power icon Clarence Williams III, and musician and 'School of Rock' actor Kevin Clark. Clark was killed in a road accident in May, in his hometown of Chicago. The death of Clark and Banes adds to an alarmingly high number of road accidents, despite pandemic-forced restrictions. It is estimated that accidental deaths are up 10% compared to 2020, despite the number of miles driven falling down.

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Banes was killed after a road accident in New York City, where statistics are reportedly bucking the trend. Nonetheless, her death has caused grief not just to friends and family, but also to the thousands of her fans, who have taken to social media to convey their thoughts.

How did Lisa Banes die?

Banes was killed after a hit-and-run incident involving an e-scooter, according to reports. On June 4, Banes was on her way to meet her wife Kathryn Kranhold for a dinner party. At the intersection of  West 64th and Amsterdam Avenue, she was hit by struck by a scooter, with the rider then fleeing the scene. Banes was taken to the Mount Sinai Morningside Hospital, where she was reportedly in a critical condition after suffering a traumatic brain injury. 

A Los Angeles resident, Banes was reportedly visiting NYC for the first time since the pandemic when the incident occurred. The scooter was last seen heading northbound on Amsterdam Avenue and has since disappeared. The New York Police Department (NYPD) is yet to make an arrest in the case, with the rider is yet to be located. She was battling the injury since June 4, before succumbing on June 10. 

Banes is well known for playing Marybeth Elliott in 2014's 'Gone Girl' and Tom Cruise's love interest in the 1988 film 'Cocktail'. She also appeared in a large number of TV shows like 'Star Trek', 'Royal Pains', 'NCIS', 'Law and Order: Special Victims Unit', and 'Desperate Housewives'. She also made several appearances on Broadway. 

 Twitter mourns 'senseless' death

Seth McFarlane tweeted, "I am deeply saddened at the news of Lisa Banes’ passing. We had the good fortune to work with her on The Orville this past year. Her stage presence, magnetism, skill and talent were matched only by her unwavering kindness and graciousness toward all of us. A tremendous loss…"

"Just busted. Lisa Banes was magnificent, hilarious, and big-hearted - always helped me though the hard times. She was so beloved by so many," tweeted one user. Another said, "This is incredibly sad: a talented character actress, her life cut too short in the most damn senseless and needless manner. RIP Lisa Banes."

"Rest In Peace, Lisa Banes. Struck in a NYC intersection on June 4 by a scooter. On vacation in NY. She died today. Driver not caught. Scooters are a menace on humanity. I said what I said. She was an immensely talented Hollywood actress. What a waste, because of a scooter," one upset user tweeted.

Banes is survived by her wife Kranhold, who she married in an intimate ceremony four years ago at City Hall. No details have been made available yet about her funeral.