Community rallies behind father of 15-year-old girl killed in hit-and-run in Ridgefield, New Jersey

RIDGEFIELD, New Jersey (WABC) -- A community is mourning in New Jersey after a teenager was struck and killed while walking near her home.

Cordero Law is no longer able to share a smile with his daughter Serenity.

He, his family and friends are shedding tears after Law's 15-year-old daughter was hit and killed while crossing at the intersection of Shaler Boulevard and Edgewater Avenue just after 7:30 p.m. on Monday.
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"She was his pride and joy," said Emilio Vega, one of Law's coworkers.

The Ridgefield Public Schools superintendent sent a letter to families about the tragic news, confirming that the victim was a student in the district. Counseling services were made available for students, faculty and staff who may need assistance.

Law works in the Clifton School District, where he's part of the maintenance division. His fellow colleagues are now rallying behind him to keep him safe.



"My heart goes out to him," said fellow maintenance staff worker Shaun Smith. Having a 15-year-old himself, Smith says the first thing he did when he got home Monday was hug her tightly.

Another one of Law's colleagues, Dino Karse, was in disbelief when Smith told him the news.
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"When Shaun told me about the sad news yesterday, I couldn't call him, I was in tears," Karse said.

The school district in the meantime has put out a GoFundMe page with the support of the superintendent and assistant superintendent to help the family bury their child.

"We all feel his pain, because we all work together and we support each other here," said Eddie Maldonado Jr., the director of buildings and grounds.

The entire maintenance team is feeling Law's loss and sharing the pain and grief, including Lenny Romano.



"I lost a child myself, and no parent should ever have to bury a child. I expressed to him that once reality sets in, if he needs someone to talk to, he can call me anytime," Romano said.
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