Family and friends remember teen killed in hit-and-run
TREVOSE, Pa. (WPVI) -- A candlelight vigil was held in Trevose, Bucks County, Sunday for the victims of a deadly hit and run crash last week.
Friends and family of Jessica Kurtz and her companion gathered at Street Road and Philmont, the spot where the two were struck by a truck last Monday.
19-year-old Jessica Kurtz, known as Jess to her friends, died a day after the incident.
Surprising words of forgiveness were offered from Kurtz's mother during Sunday night's vigil.
"I pray for him and have no ill will towards him at all," said Jessica's mom, Karen Kurtz.
Both Kurtz and a male friend were hit by the same truck. The friend survived.
Police said the driver of the striking vehicle got out and carried Kurtz to the side of the road before returning to his truck and driving off.
"I'm sure he panicked," said Karen Kurtz. "I don't know how I'd feel if I had taken the life of a young individual."
Police said they have a person of interest and recovered a truck they believe to be involved in the incident.
Kurtz was remembered Sunday as a bright, shy young woman who joined the ROTC and graduated from Bensalem High School just last year.
Her mother explained why she has no malice toward the driver, but that she has a message for him.
"He's messed up his future and for me to hate on him or anything like that, that just destroys me," she said. "I pray for him, that he does the right thing and steps forward."
Anyone with information regarding last Monday night's hit-and-run is asked to contact the Lower Southampton Police Department.
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