Friends, Family Stunned By Hit-Run Death Of Young Connecticut Mother
DANBURY, CONN. (CBSNewYork) -- Family and friends of a Connecticut mother killed in a hit-and-run crash say they've lost an angel.
Now, there's a hunt for the driver who took her life.
As CBS2's Lou Young reported, heartbroken hospice nurses gathered near a roadside memorial in Danbury, Conn. on Tuesday where nurses assistant Rachel Sack was mowed down and left for dead early Saturday.
It's a tragedy that has the small city stunned.
"The whole town's talking about it; it's sad, really sad," said Danbury resident Jason Ambrose.
The 23-year-old mother of a 9-week-old infant was fatally injured as she walked along Great Pasture Road just after midnight Saturday morning.
Sack was a vibrant spirit who loved life, once tried skydiving, cherished her new role as mother and most significantly, devoted her young life to helping others, Young reported.
"She dealt with hospice patients of all ages; babies, children, adults, elderly. She cared for dying and sick people and it was just in her nature to nurture those people in the darkest times of their lives," Sack's friend Stephanie Ewud said.
Sack and her boyfriend -- the father of her child -- were at a bar Friday night not far from the home they shared. She left, apparently wanting to go home, but didn't get more than 100 yards before tragedy struck, Young reported.
There are sidewalks, but in the area where the accident happened it's blocked by two large trees. A pedestrian has the choice to go right and cross a lawn or left along the more well-lit road closer to traffic. Sack's choice turned out to be a fateful decision, Young reported.
Police said Sack was hit from behind by a dark-colored SUV that kept going. A reward fund has been set up to help find the driver.
Sack's employer, Regional Hospice And Homecare of Danbury, has also set up a scholarship fund in her name.
The now-motherless baby Jackson is being cared for by her family, who are asking for privacy and help.
"I think, the family, myself and all her friends care about is pushing people to help us find whoever did this," Ewud said.
Sack's funeral is scheduled for Thursday.
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