It's been exactly a year since 11-year-old Gabrielle Lee was struck and killed crossing Whalley Avenue in New Haven. The driver sped off and the crime remains unsolved.
Police and city officials held a news conference Thursday morning to plead for cooperation in the case. They said the person who hit and killed Lee was driving a dark colored Volkswagon Jetta that night.
They've followed hundreds of leads and interviewed numerous people about the crime, said Lt. Joseph Witkowski. "There's somebody out there who knows who did this," he said. "We're still actively investigating the case. We want that person to know it's still being investigated. We are going to find you."
Since the tragedy, New Haven has taken several steps to make city streets safer for drivers and pedestrians. The city has increased traffic enforcement, writing 46 percent more traffic tickets so far this year compared to last year, said Mayor John DeStefano. They've begun replacing traffic signals and adding crosswalks at intersections that lacked them. They've also launched a public awareness campaign.
The state DOT will soon start a construction project along the stretch of Whalley Avenue where Lee was struck, officials said. Among the improvements, the road will be widened to four lanes and the traffic signal will be replaced.
Lee was not in a crosswalk when she was hit, said police. A $10,000 reward is being offered for information leading to an arrest in the case.
