Survivors Of Hit-And-Run Remember Their Friend

Vanessa Fitts doesn't recall saying anything to her friend, Gabriella Drozdz, as they walked toward the Alpine Fest carnival Friday night. What she does remember, though, is that they were smiling.

"I didn't feel like something bad was going to happen," said Fitts, 18. "And then I woke up."

Vanessa and her sister, Rosie, 16, and their friend, Drozdz, all of Lake Zurich, were walking along Church Street Friday night when they were struck by a large, white or light-colored sports utility vehicle. Drozdz died from her injuries shortly after being transported to Advocate Condell Medical Center in Libertyville. The SUV fled the scene.

"Someone left us to die, you know. They didn't think about who we were or what we'd been through," said Vanessa.

Vanessa, Rosie and a large group of teens walked the parade route prior to Sunday's Alpine Fest parade. The procession then traveled to the accident site near Jamie Lane. There, teens placed flowers and hugged one another. The group remained largely silent, with only the sounds heard being those of the mourners' cries — and music from the parade just a half-mile away.

Vanessa and Rosie took the opportunity to speak with members of the media at the site.

"Gabby let me walk on the concrete because I was scared of the frogs because it was raining," Vanessa recalled. The next thing she remembers is waking up and thinking she must have fallen down on the rocks. She had lost her shoe.

"I didn't know what happened," said Vanessa. "I remember opening my eyes, and I saw my best friend for the last time."

Rosie said she saw her sister stand up and knew she was OK. When Rosie saw Drozdz, however, she noticed that Drozdz wasn't moving. She also saw blood.

"I held her hand and said, 'I love you, Gabby,'" Rosie sad.

"I knew her little body was hurt," Vanessa said of seeing Drozdz laying on the ground. "I didn't think she was going to be gone."

Vanessa said Drozdz was her best friend.

"She taught me how to live, you know," said Vanessa. "Gabby didn't die in vain. She didn't die mad. She didn't die sad. I know she'd love to be with us. I know if it wasn't for Gabby, I wouldn't be here. It should have been me or any other life, you know."

Rosie, who has a large scratch and bruise on her leg from the accident, described Drozdz as a free-spirited girl who never held back on speaking her mind.

"She was really accepting," said Rosie. "She always saw the bright side of everything."

Vanessa had this to say about the driver who hit them: "I don't want them to pay. I just want them to know what they did, you know, and how much it hurts. I want them to know how bad it hurt us."

Crisis counselors will be available at Lake Zurich High School starting at 9 a.m. Monday to help staff, students and parents, the Lake Zurich Community Unit School District 95 website said. Those needing counseling can also call OMNI Youth Services at (847) 540-0680 or Susan Kostner, Ela Township social worker, at (847) 540-8380.

Two websites have been set up to pay tribute to Drozdz, one on Facebook and another called Remembering Gabby.