Police Arrest Woman For 2023 Hit-And-Run Death Of Indian Student

Photo: New Haven Police Department

India-West News Desk

NEW YORK, NY – A 41-year-old woman, Jill Augelli, has been arrested in connection with the October 2023 hit-and-run death of Priyanshu Agwal, a 23-year-old Indian graduate student at the University of New Haven.

Authorities said they charged Augelli on November 18 with evading responsibility resulting in death, following a year-long investigation.

Agwal, originally from Deoli, Rajasthan, had come to the U.S. in 2022 to pursue a master’s degree in business analytics. He was nearing graduation and actively applying for jobs when the tragic incident occurred. On the night of October 18, 2023, Agwal was riding an electric scooter near an intersection when he was struck by a car. The driver fled the scene without stopping. Agwal was rushed to Yale New Haven Hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries a week later.

At a recent press conference announcing Augelli’s arrest, New Haven Police Chief Karl Jacobson revealed that initial evidence had been insufficient to charge her. Investigators later obtained crucial GPS data from her cellphone, placing her near the collision site. Forensic testing also confirmed Agwal’s DNA on her vehicle.

Agwal’s brother, Aman, shared the emotional toll of the past year. “I miss my brother every day,” he said, recounting dreams and memories that bring both comfort and guilt. He criticized the driver for failing to stop, saying her actions led to his brother’s fatal injuries.

Despite the tragedy, Agwal’s family chose to donate his heart, giving someone else the chance to live. New Haven Mayor Justin Elicker praised this act of generosity, noting, “Even though he lost his life, part of his life is giving someone else a life today.”

The University of New Haven remembered Agwal as a dedicated student with a bright future. His untimely death underscores the devastating consequences of reckless driving and the importance of justice for victims and their families.

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