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Seymour police, family of victims issue pleas for answers in double fatal hit and run

The two Shelton residents were struck while crossing the street during a funeral Friday night, killing both of them.

SEYMOUR, Conn. — Police continue to investigate a Friday night hit and run crash on Bank Street in Seymour that killed an older couple, and now the victims' family is searching for answers.

The children of 81-year-olds Barbara and James Tamborra, of Shelton issued a desperate public plea to find the driver of the vehicle, believed to be a 2014-2016 Acura MDX.

"If you know somebody who drives this vehicle and they’re not driving the vehicle anymore, please come forward," said Ken Tamborra, one of the sons of the victims. "If anybody you know who works in an autobody facility, auto parts, anything related to auto repair, please please call the Seymour police."

Jim died that night while Barbara fought for her life for nearly a week before passing away Wednesday, one of the sons told FOX61.

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Friday at 6 p.m., a Seymour officer, had stopped traffic in front of the Miller-Ward Funeral Home, where the Tamborra's had just attended a wake, so they could cross the street to their car. But, the SUV was bearing down eastbound on Bank Street, heading straight for them.

"As it got closer and closer to the officer himself had to literally jump out of the way from being struck," said Seymour Police Chief Paul Satkowski.

But, it was the Tamborra's who were hit. 

Credit: Seymour PD
At the top of the photo, an SUV is seen speeding off from the scene of the fatal hit and run.

A local business owner shared a surveillance video that showed the SUV is seen speeding right to left across the screen.

"To the person or persons involved with, you can’t go back – we get that," said Giovanni Sanzo, who owns Pretty Little Witchcraft with his wife. "Come forward. Make it easier for the family that’s really struggling through this and do the right thing."

"They were just extremely kind, loving people," said a teary-eyed Lynda Pisacreta, the victims' daughter. "And I’m sorry. It’s just very tragic."

The couple's other son, Steve Tamborra, who lives in Georgia, talked about not having seen his father in two years, largely because of COVID-19.

"They hosted holidays, and they looked forward to it," Ken Tamborra, added. "I found my mother's list for what she was going to make for Christmas dinner for the family."

Tuesday, several lawmakers sent a letter to the Department of Transportation commissioner asking for a road safety audit to be conducted given significant traffic increases along this stretch of Bank Street, also known as Route 67, between Seymour and Oxford.

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Tony Terzi is a reporter at FOX61 News. He can be reached at tterzi@fox61.com. Follow him on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

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