Teen dies after car hits him and flees

WEST SENECA, N.Y. (WIVB) - West Seneca Police say 18 year-old Ryan Purcell was walking home from a friend's house on Seneca Street at around 2:30 in the morning, when he was struck and killed by a car.

The alleged driver of the car, Lori A. Maciejewski, 29, of West Seneca has been arrested and charged with leaving the scene of a fatal accident as well as failing to keep right.

A passerby who returned to the scene on Saturday to pay his respects, says he was the first to find Purcell on the shoulder of the road and call police. He was still too shaken to speak on camera.

Friends, classmates and co-workers of Purcell are trying to comprehend the tragedy that claimed the young man's life.

Becca Hofner said, "I don't understand how anyone could hit someone and drive away. Just so heartless.  If you were down he would always make you feel good. He'd always make you smile. He was just great to work with. He was such a great person and I feel so bad that this happened to him and I wish it didn't."

Purcell was likely just visiting home for the long weekend. He was a Freshman at SUNY Fredonia majoring in Engineering and on the track team there. He set a high school record for the men's relay back at West Seneca West.

"He just had so much going for him in life and he would've done so many great things," said Hofner.

Before arresting Maciejewski police found a broken headlight, chrome trim, a wiper blade and other evidence at the scene which was enough to partly identify the vehicle. They narrowed their search to a 1998 to 2003 Chevy S10 Blazer or pick-up truck with damage to the driver's side front end.

Lt. David Szmania believes Maciejewski knew she hit someone, "My conclusion would be, that whoever struck this individual knew he hit something or somebody."

"It's very unconscionable. How somebody could do this, only they could tell you," added Szmania.