CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Officials said Olivia Lapiana Kowalski was killed after being hit by a vehicle near a gas station in southwest Charlotte on March 4. A week later, loved ones are grieving and calling for justice for the beloved mother, sister, and friend.
Medic said they responded to a pedestrian struck call just after 9:45 p.m. near a Shell station on Red Roof Drive.
No other information was provided, but now Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police are looking for the car that may have been involved.
On March 11, family and friends gathered for a candlelight vigil to honor Kowalski's life. Her sisters said she was a bright light.
“She loved the community no matter where you came from, who you were, she did things for the homeless, she’d do their nails, she loved to make people happy and feel special," Jillian Mangum said.
People gathered in a circle and shared stories. Many of those in attendance looked back on the laughter-filled memories amidst the pain.
Through mixed emotions, Kowalski's family is still trying to wrap their heads around this happened.
“My husband heard me screaming and I told him she had been killed," Mangum said. “I just hope they find the man that did this.”
Anyone with information is urged to call the police.
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