Fanwood Woman Dies As Search Continues For Hit-And-Run Driver

FANWOOD, NJ — Beloved Fanwood woman Meghan Crilly succumbed to her injuries and died Thursday at Newark University Hospital following a hit-and-run in Linden that happened 11 days earlier, police said Friday.

Police continue to search for the driver who hit the 35-year-old teacher.

"Sadly, we must report that the victim from the hit-and-run crash at N. Wood Avenue near St. Georges Avenue has died," Linden police said in announcing her passing.

Crilly was a second-grade teacher at Beechwood School in Mountainside. Following the crash, she had gone through multiple surgeries, was is in a coma, had spinal damage, a broken pelvis, a broken ankle, and a broken tibia as a result of the crash.

Her spleen had also been removed, her liver was lacerated, and she had internal bleeding, according the GoFundMe site. (See Related: Community Rallies Around Hit-And-Run Fanwood Woman)

Her family had been struggling with the decision to take her off of life support earlier this week. (See Related: Family Of Beloved Fanwood Woman In Coma Face Tragic Decision)

Crilly, who is known for her "beautiful spirit and a smile that brightens up any room she walks into," was hit while crossing N. Wood Avenue in the area of St. George Avenue in Linden just before 2 a.m. on Jan. 20.

The vehicle fled from the scene and has been identified as a red 2014-2015 Jeep Grand Cherokee, possibly with tinted windows and a sunroof, police said.

A new video with the wanted vehicle was released on Tuesday and Crimestoppers is also offering a reward of up to $10,000 for information leading to the arrest and indictment of the person responsible. Tips can be given anonymously by phone at 908-654-TIPS (8477) or online at www.uctip.org.

The GoFundMe site was set up on Jan. 23 and has already raised more than $54,000, exceeding the $35,000 goal. Funds received will be used to alleviate the financial strain brought on by Crilly's treatments, organizers said.

Anyone with information on the hit-and-run is urged to contact Investigator Jimmy Solano at 908-474-8505.

(Image via GoFundMe, a promotional partner of Patch: Meghan Crilly. Videos via Linden Police)

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