WRAL News is deeply saddened to announce the death of colleague and dear friend Erin Simanskis after a hit-and-run crash on Friday night.
Erin died Wednesday morning two days after the Simanskis family learned that she would not survive her injuries after being hit by a car on the side of the road during the snowstorm on Friday night.
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Her family wrote, "With heavy hearts, we share with you that Erin was called home by the Lord early this morning. We find peace knowing she is no longer suffering, and that she will join her mother ... tell your families you love them today."
Since 2017, Simanskis has worked with 5 On Your Side as a research assistant, and in recent years on the assignment desk.
On her way home from work on Friday, at the beginning of the snowstorm, Simanskis was involved in a fender bender on Western Boulevard. While exchanging information with the other driver, she was hit by a van and the van's driver ran from the scene.
Raleigh police are still searching for that person.
Simanskis' family said doctors are identifying organ recipients.
Her family hopes to hold a celebration of life at WRAL Azalea Gardens because of how much Simanskis loved working with her WRAL News family.
Words cannot express how much everyone at WRAL will miss her.
Anyone with information on the driver who ran from the scene is asked to contact Raleigh Police Department at 919-831-6311.