For 36 years, there’s been a constant at the Norwalk Public Library, employee Dawn Kravarik. The life-long resident was 58 years old when she was killed in a hit-and-run crash Saturday evening just minutes from her home.

“She was definitely the history of the library,” said library director Sherelle Harris. “And even though she was an accounting clerk, which is more of a behind-the-scenes position, her personality was as such that she was sort of the welcoming committee for our particular floor.”

Harris told News 12 Kravarik really loved taking care of the library, often tackling roles outside her position.

“That was just her. She had a good chance to retire three years ago when they offered early retirement plus three years which is a great incentive, and the fact she didn't take it speaks volumes for how much she loved her library community,” Harris said.

Kravarik also loved motorcycling with her husband, according to her obituary. That’s what she was reportedly doing when a car slammed into them and never stopped. It happened at the intersection of Bayne Street and East Rocks Road shortly after 6 p.m., according to the Norwalk mayor’s office. A news release said the couple was rushed to the hospital, but Kravarik couldn't be saved. It also said investigators quickly identified the car involved, and with the help of Wilton police, they found it and the person believed to be driving.

Wilton police confirmed to News 12 the person of interest lives in Wilton but referred all questions about the investigation and potential charges to the Norwalk Police Department. Norwalk police said all of that has to come from City Hall. But a spokesperson there would only say that this is an active investigation and additional details can't be shared at this point.

Kravarik's oldest son, Adam Arnold, released the following statement to News 12:

“Our mother was the most amazing, thoughtful, caring and dedicated daughter, wife, mother, nanna and mother-in-law. She loved her family more than anything. She loved getting us together, for no reason at all and for every occasion. She was so accepting of us and all of our friends, as if they were her own. We always had a full house and fridge. We have friends that still stop by the house, even though I moved 10 years ago, but it goes to show the strong impact she made on them. She was so loved and her positive outlook on life, even through life’s challenges, will forever be missed, along with her passion for plants and animals, and the outdoors which she shared with us all. Her four grandchildren already miss her so deeply, she was so dedicated to them. She was truly our world and even though we are grown, with our own homes, she was our home.”

As family members await answers, so, too, do Kravarik's colleagues, who said her loss will be heavily felt at the library.

“For many staff members, she was a sounding board. So she was that person they could bounce issues or happy news, sad news, she was that person, and I think there will be a void,” Harris said.

Harris also told News 12 Kravarik’s husband also works at the library, but the extent of his injuries isn’t known.

Anyone with information on the crash is asked to contact Detective Serrano at 203-854-3186 or Lserrano @norwalkct.gov.

This is the second tragedy for the Norwalk public library community in 2 1/2 years. In 2021, employee Divya Misra was killed by her husband in a murder-suicide. The Belden Avenue branch’s rose garden was dedicated to Misra.