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UConn students turn out in droves to honor student killed on campus

STORRS – About one thousand people gathered at a vigil on the UConn campus Tuesday night in memory of Jeffny Pally, who died after being run over over the...
jeffny pally

STORRS - About one thousand people gathered at a vigil on the UConn campus Tuesday night in memory of Jeffny Pally, who died after being run over over the weekend.

Friends and family members spoke of how special the West Hartford 19-year-old was, speaking about her love of life and infectious smile.

"She always had a bright smile, her face was always glowing and even in the darkest moments she knew when to and how to make everyone happy," said one speaker.

Each of the thousand or so students at the vigil held a candle to honor Pally.

"How can you condense someone into a few words, especially someone like Jeffny?" asked the speaker.

The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in Farmington on Tuesday said the cause of her death was “blunt injury of torso and head accident” after she was run over by vehicle at UConn Fire Department Public Safety complex on campus Sunday morning.

State police said Pally was sitting with her back against an overhead garage door outside the  complex when firefighters received a call for service at 1:13 a.m.

Shift Commander Dana Barrow Jr., 60, opened the door in order to exit the building and drive out in a UConn Fire Department Chevy Tahoe. Police said Pally fell back and the Tahoe drove over her. When the firefighters returned from the call, they found the student dead.

The firefighter has been placed in an administrative duty position and would not respond to calls as the incident is investigated according to state police.

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