Family offers $10,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of the culprit.
A Montclair State University student remains in a coma after being struck in a hit-and-run accident on Rt. 46 near campus just after midnight on Thursday, Oct. 9, leaving the family pleading for answers.
The family of Anna Semioli, a Senior Accounting major, has announced a $10,000 reward for any information leading to the arrest of the driver who left her on the side of the highway after inflicting critical injuries. Additionally, an online fundraiser with a goal amount of $10,000 commenced to “help her family with hospital cost and their expenses,” according to the page on gofundme.com.
Reached today by The Montclarion, Semioli’s sister, Gina, was emotional when she said, “We need someone to come forward. We need help. She’s fighting for her life.” She said that Semioli’s condition remains unchanged.
The accident occurred at 12:03 a.m. near the Valley Road exit on Rt. 46, where Semioli was walking eastward, according to the police. On Friday Chief Paul Cell of the University Police sent an email alert to the campus community seeking information about the incident.
In the days following, students rallied together both on social media spreading the word about the incident, as well as on campus by hanging posters announcing the award offered by the family.
See something, say something http://t.co/sBzJUnuWZd — MSU Problems (@montclairprobs) October 11, 2015
This is my friend’s sister. Please help him and his family. http://t.co/A6XLGpy8Bq @montclairstateu @montclairprobs @News12NJ — Fiorella (@mzfiorella) October 11, 2015
Semioli’s family surrounds her at St. Joseph’s Regional Medical Center in Paterson as they appeal for prayers and hope for a miracle. Gina Semioli, posted on Facebook Sunday, “Everyone please stop what u r doing and pray really pray for my little sister. I am dying I am broken I am asking for prayers we really really need them.”
Her brother, Aniello, also wrote on Facebook, “Pray for my sister please. Our family needs her to come home with us. Please stop for a second and ask God to give her the strength to come out of this and to surround her with angels. Annie is my little sister and I need her. Please if you go to any religious center today, please have her in your thoughts and ask God for a miracle. Our family is hurting till no end. We need our little sis to be better. She is a beautiful woman with her whole life to live. She needs this.”
Anyone with information regarding the hit-and-run is urged to contact Detective Sergeant Marco Aliano of the Passaic County Prosecutor’s Office at 862-849-6019 or the Clifton Police Department Communications Division at 973-470-5900. Kristen Bryfogle, Editor-in-Chief, contributed to this article.
