By Tabitha Zinveli

Gabriella Christine Rodriguez, 15, was hit and killed as she crossed Harrison Avenue on Monday, September 10th, on her way to school. Gabriella was a gifted athlete, who played softball for the Reds Urban Youth Academy and at Western Hills University High School.

On September 11th, the West Side community gathered for a candlelight vigil and a memorial softball game on West High’s new field to honor the memory of Gabby.

According to a statement by the Cincinnati Police, “Gabby was crossing the road in the 2100 block of Harrison Avenue at about 6:40 a.m. Monday. She was hit by a woman driving a 2010 Dodge Journey, traveling west. That driver stopped, but as Gabby tried to get back on her feet, she was struck again by a Honda Civic traveling eastbound. That driver fled, and police are looking for the vehicle.”

After examining photos from Metro, police now say the car they are looking for is a white four-door Honda Civic built from 2012 to 2015. Police previously said it was a Toyota Corolla. The car left the scene after hitting Gabby. If you have information, call the Cincinnati Police Department’s Traffic Unit at 513-352-2514 or Crime Stoppers at 513-352-3040. School leaders are looking to see if more crosswalks need to be added in the area. West High school coach Matt Phillips said “The entire Western Hills family is feeling this loss.”

Some Oyler students knew Gabby and played softball with her, and the Lower Price Hill community mourns her death alongside her family and friends.