Family Begs Driver To Come Forward After College Student Is Struck In Clifton
CLIFTON, N.J. (CBSNewYork) -- Following a hit-and-run that left a Montclair State University student in a coma, the young woman's family has come forward to say the information they're getting doesn't add up.
As CBS2's Hazel Sanchez reported, Anna Semioli, 22, was struck along the shoulder of Route 46 in Clifton just before midnight Thursday. She was left critically injured.
"She's our baby sister and we need to bring her home," said Gina Semioli. "Just whoever did this to her – please, we beg you to come forward and say something. Turn yourself in."
Heartbroken and desperate for answers, Gina Semioli and her two brothers have reached out to the public for help. The driver that struck their sister left the scene, and she remained in a coma Monday evening at St. Joseph's Regional Medical Center in Paterson.
"How could you leave her on the side of the road?" Gina Semioli said. "She's a person, just like everybody in your family is a person, so come forward, please."
Anna Semioli was on foot when she was hit on eastbound Route 46 near the Valley Road exit, where drivers frequently make pit stops for fast food or gas.
But her car was on the Montclair State University campus, where she is a senior studying accounting – and where she told her sister she would be meeting friends Thursday.
Posters seeking information about what happened to Anna Semioli are all over school grounds.
"Unfortunately, no one has said anything -- and I find that a little odd," Gina Semioli said.
It was also odd for Anna Semioli to be walking any distance at all, according to her sister. Gina Semioli said her sister could not walk far after having ACL surgery earlier this year.
Based on her injuries, Semioli's family said it was likely she was hit by a large vehicle such as sport-utility vehicle, and it should have significant damage.
"Any auto body shops who have people coming in and are trying to get their car fixed, and something seems suspicious or they don't have a police report, please call the cops," Gina Semioli said.
The Passaic County Prosecutor's office and Clifton police have also urged any witnesses to come forward. Semioli's family was also offering a $10,000 cash reward for information leading to the arrest of the driver.