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Police, family of Lake Zurich teen search for answers in fatal hit-and-run

As friends of Gabriella Drozdz gathered Sunday to honor her memory in Lake Zurich’s Alpine Fest Parade, the family of the 18-year-old killed in a hit-and-run crash Friday focused on the next steps.

Ilona Gregory, Drozdz’s older sister, said a wake and memorial service likely will be held Friday followed by a funeral on Saturday.

Gregory said the family also plans to set up a reward fund at a soon-to-be-determined bank for anyone who comes forward with information about the fatal crash. Gregory said her family will contribute to the fund and welcome the donations from others as well.

Details about services and the fund will be available on the R.I.P. Gabby Drozdz Facebook page and at gabbydrozdz.com, where family members are asking friends of Gabby’s to sign the guest book and share memories of her.

Lake Zurich police are still searching for the driver of a newer model white or light-colored SUV that left before police arrived at the scene of the crash Friday. They suspect the vehicle sustained some damage to the front passenger side.

Drozdz was walking with Vanessa Fitts, 18, and Rosie Fitts, 16, also of Lake Zurich, shortly after 9 p.m. Friday on their way to the Alpine Fest, friends said.

The girls were struck by the SUV while walking south on the gravel shoulder of Church Street north of Jamie Lane, according to Lake Zurich police.

The Fitts sisters were injured, but released from the hospital Saturday afternoon, authorities said.

Anyone with any information is asked to call Cmdr. Kevin Finlon at (847) 719-1690 ext. 6118.

  Annie Sadowski, right, of Trilogy Dance in Lake Zurich, hands out flowers to friends and family of hit-and-run victim Gabriella Drozdz during the Lake Zurich Alpine Festival parade Sunday. Drozdz, of Lake Zurich, was killed by someone driving an SUV Friday night as she and two other friends were walking along Church Street on their way to Alpine Fest. Gilbert R. Boucher II/gboucher@dailyherald.com
  Dana Lebron, right, comforts Kara Sprinkle as friends and family gather and march in the Lake Zurich Alpine Festival parade Sunday in memory of hit-and-run victim Gabriella Drozdz. Drozdz, of Lake Zurich, was killed by someone driving an SUV Friday night as she and two other friends were walking along Church Street on their way to Alpine Fest community festival. Gilbert R. Boucher II/gboucher@dailyherald.com