A junior at Sacred Heart University in Fairfield died after she was struck by a car on Madison Avenue in Bridgeport on Friday afternoon.
The victim, identified as 20-year-old Kaitlyn Doorhy, of Mattituck, New York, was taken to Saint Vincent's Medical Center Friday for treatment of serious injuries. A hospital spokesperson confirmed Saturday afternoon that she has died due to injuries sustained from the accident.
Doorhy's parents have agreed to donate their daughter's organs for transplants, according to a news release from the hospital.
"Kaitlyn is an organ donor and will help save the lives of others," her father said in a statement the hospital released on his behalf.
St. Vincent's Medical Center plans on flying the "Donate Life flag" to honor Doorhy.
"Our hearts grieve with the Doorhy family. Tere are thousands of individuals waiting for lifesaving organs or tissue," Brooke Karlsen, vice president of surgical services at the hospital, said in a statement. "We hope it provides comfort to Kaitlyn's family and the Sacred Heart University Community to know that Kaitlyn's generous gift of life will save lives."
Police said Doorhy was crossing the street with another woman on the 200 block of Madison Avenue when she was struck by a red Nissan Coupe that was heading northbound around 12:30 p.m. on Friday, police said.
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The other woman, who was walking ahead of Doorhy, was not hurt, police said.
Investigators believe the car swerved to avoid hitting the first pedestrian and collided with Doorhy, according to police.
The CT Post reports that Doorhy was struck outside the sorority house where she lives.
The driver, identified as Brandon M. Pouncie, 28, of Bridgeport, remained at the scene and is cooperating with police.
The Sacred Heart community is mourning the loss of Doorhy and flowers have been placed at the location of the accident on Madison Avenue.
"Kaitlyn was a beautiful girl. She was active in her school. She was loved by everyone on campus," Susan Egan, the mother of one of Doorhy's sorority sisters, said.
Sacred Heart plans to have a memorial mass for Doorhy next week. In the meatime, Sacred Heart University President John J. Petillo asked in a message on the university's website for people to "continue to pray for Kaitlyn and her family and that you take care of one another."
"The Sacred Heart University community is mourning the loss of Kaitlyn Doorhy, who was a vibrant and involved student at SHU," Petillo said in a statement released Saturday afternoon. "Her organs will be used to help save the lives of others. That she is an organ donor, is in keeping with the generosity and caring of the close-knit community that makes up the fabric of Sacred Heart University. Even in her death, she is giving hope to others. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Doorhy family in this time of immeasurable loss."
People who knew Doorhy have also created a "Rest in Peace Kait Doorhy" Facebook page, where they are sharing memories about her and brainstorming ways to honor her memory
The accident remains under investigation and no charges have been filed.
