By Jerry Burke
Paul Kosowski of the Nassau County Civic Association, a friend of Jessica's father, Tony, has used the organization's resources to raise money in order to set up a reward for information leading to an arrest in the case. The website, www.nassaucivic.com, hosts a link to the most updated information available on the case, which can be copied and printed as a flier.
Unfortunately, the last update was June 4 of last year, with the reward for information set at $30,000.
The accident occurred on Friday, May 7, at 10:54 p.m. Savarese was crossing Hempstead Turnpike, not far from the Silver Star Diner, in Franklin Square when she was struck and killed by an unidentified vehicle traveling westbound toward Elmont. The driver of the car did not stop, and fled the scene. The two friends with Savarese at the scene say she ran ahead of them while crossing.
According to Detective Lieutenant Kevin Smith of the Nassau County Police Public Information Office, police are still looking for the vehicle as well as any information on the incident. Police described the vehicle as a 1987-1991 Ford Taurus, a passenger car. They say the vehicle would likely have sustained heavy damage to the right front side.
Anyone with information can contact Crime Stoppers at (800) 244-TIPS or send an e-mail to crimestoppers@pdcn.org. All calls will remain anonymous.
"We're just asking that anyone who knows anything please step forward if you have any information, even if you feel it might not be relevant," said Kosowski. "Your information just may solve this case and help the grieving family come to grips with their tragic loss."
"We just need somebody, even anonymously, to come forward," he said. "The family deserves at least that."
On Saturday, friends gathered to remember Jayy. "She was just such a fun person to hang with," said her friend Evan, a classmate at H. Frank Carey High School. "She just loved hanging with her friends."
Friends were as anxious as they were last year to talk about Savarese, who was only a few weeks away from her 15th birthday when she died. "Everybody loved her," said her friend Nico. "You could say nothing bad about Jayy. She was awesome."
Nassau County Police Homicide Squad detectives said that Savarese, a West Hempstead resident, was transported to Winthrop University Hospital, and pronounced dead at 11:17 p.m. that night
One of her best friends, Tiffany Zinnanti, 15, was at the makeshift memorial Saturday afternoon. Zinnanti said she and another girl were with Jessica the night before. They had just finished eating at Ameche's Restaurant and were crossing the turnpike when Jessica ran ahead.
"We were at the corner [by the Silver Star Diner] and she tried to make it across," said Zinnanti. "It happened so fast."
Zinnanti immediately called 911 on her cell phone. She said Jessica didn't move after she was hit.
The family could not be reached for comment.
