Vigil held for woman killed by hit-and-run driver in Fairfield

Friends and family held a vigil for a Pennsylvania woman who was killed in a hit-and-run in Fairfield on the Fourth of July.

News 12 Staff

Jul 10, 2020, 9:54 AM

Updated 1,392 days ago

Share:

Friends and family held a vigil for a Pennsylvania woman who was killed in a hit-and-run in Fairfield on the Fourth of July.
Friends and family held a vigil Thursday night for the victim, Marileidy Morel Araujo.
Morel Araujo grew up in New Jersey, and her family says she loved to travel and take photos. When Morel Araujo and her fiancée Danny Fernandez came to visit his sister Saturday, they told her they were engaged.
The engagement came after Fernandez fought a long battle with the coronavirus. Fernandez says during the weeks he was in the hospital and on a ventilator, she was his rock and was the reason he got the plasma he needed to survive.
Benjamin Urriola was driving down Redding Road when he saw Araujo lying on the ground and stopped to help. He didn't know her until her last few minutes of life, but came out to remember her at the vigil.
"I am blessed to have spent those last few seconds with her because I've met and spoke to so many people who have spoke to who she was and she was a true blessing to this world," said Urriola.
The family says Araujo sent her last photos of her July 4 celebrations at 7:33 p.m. Saturday. They believe it was right after she hit send when she was struck.
The 32-year-old will be laid to rest in Patterson next week.
The man accused of striking Araujo, Declan Kot, a volunteer firefighter and constable from Easton, will face a judge Wednesday.
Fairfield police say surveillance video led them to the 22-year-old.
He was taken into custody Wednesday night after being interviewed by police earlier in the day.
Easton's first selectman confirmed Kot has been suspended from his position as town constable, and the fire department also suspended Kot following his arrest. 


More from News 12
3:52
I-95 in Norwalk closed until at least Monday following tractor-trailer fire

I-95 in Norwalk closed until at least Monday following tractor-trailer fire

1:39
 Warm and dry temps for Connecticut; cooler weekend expected

Warm and dry temps for Connecticut; cooler weekend expected

2:26
Gov. Lamont declares state of emergency in response to the I-95 tractor-trailer fire

Gov. Lamont declares state of emergency in response to the I-95 tractor-trailer fire

2:30
I-95 oil tanker fire disrupts local traffic through Norwalk; detours, closures in place

I-95 oil tanker fire disrupts local traffic through Norwalk; detours, closures in place

3:14
Visit Ridgefield, Connecticut's first 'cultural district' in the state

Visit Ridgefield, Connecticut's first 'cultural district' in the state

2:39
Racist social media posts ignite outrage in Wilton community

Racist social media posts ignite outrage in Wilton community

  Police: Apparent grenade found in Bridgeport

Police: Apparent grenade found in Bridgeport

0:36
Live Nation Concert Week offers $25 tickets to over 5,000 shows

Live Nation Concert Week offers $25 tickets to over 5,000 shows

2:22
Do you constantly reuse the same username and password? 6 steps to help safeguard your online accounts

Do you constantly reuse the same username and password? 6 steps to help safeguard your online accounts

0:35
Mets foundation partners with America's Vet Dogs to raise future service dog

Mets foundation partners with America's Vet Dogs to raise future service dog

1:53
Shop Mother’s Day Gifts – Exclusive Offers Up to 75% OFF!

Shop Mother’s Day Gifts – Exclusive Offers Up to 75% OFF!

2:14
Investigation underway after 4 dogs die in Milford car fire

Investigation underway after 4 dogs die in Milford car fire

0:32
 Police: Meriden man accused of suffocating victim in front of her child

Police: Meriden man accused of suffocating victim in front of her child

0:36
'Difficult decision.' UConn president addresses arrests of students and encampment teardown

'Difficult decision.' UConn president addresses arrests of students and encampment teardown

0:24
Charges upgraded to father of 2-year-old found buried in a shallow grave in 2023

Charges upgraded to father of 2-year-old found buried in a shallow grave in 2023

0:36
'Difficult decision.' UConn president addresses arrests of students and encampment teardown

'Difficult decision.' UConn president addresses arrests of students and encampment teardown

0:39
Jonathan Cubit visits students at Franklin Elementary School in Stratford

Jonathan Cubit visits students at Franklin Elementary School in Stratford

1:38
Scholar Athlete: Keira Cunniffe

Scholar Athlete: Keira Cunniffe

1:48
Volunteers prep for Minks to Sinks sale to benefit Family and Children's Agency

Volunteers prep for Minks to Sinks sale to benefit Family and Children's Agency

1:54
Stamford’s BOE reinstates Columbus Day, Veterans Day in school holiday calendar

Stamford’s BOE reinstates Columbus Day, Veterans Day in school holiday calendar