‘I’m just speechless’: Family mourns 19-year-old fatally struck on dog walk

(KRON) — There is a growing memorial in Santa Rosa for a 19-year-old woman hit and killed by a car while walking her dog last Thursday.

Police say Natalee Fisher was walking her dog in the crosswalk on Steele Lane when they were struck by a car. Now lies flowers and a cross to honor the victim.

Kevin Monterroso says he’s still trying to come to terms with the death of his niece.

“I’m just speechless,” said Monterroso. “My family we are devastated we are heartbroken.”

He says she had recently moved in with him in Windsor, but she went to her parents’ house in Santa Rosa on Aug. 14 to walk their dog, Sebastian. Around 7:30 p.m., the two were hit by a car.

The 42-year-old driver stayed on scene and is cooperating with the investigation, according to Santa Rosa Police Department.

Krrish Menon has been friends with Fisher since first grade. The two both attended Santa Rosa Junior College together.

“She used the crosswalk, she’s two blocks away from home,” said Menon. “She comes to this park all the time. You wouldn’t expect something so unlucky to happen in a short amount of time and for it to be so devastating.”

“She texted me 30 minutes before the accident. We were supposed to hang out,” Menon added.

Menon says they had plans to go shopping before the first day of the semester, but she stopped responding to texts. He says he’s still in disbelief about her sudden death.

Monterroso says while Fisher’s parents work through their grief, they feel the support from all who have contributed to a GoFundMe page that will help pay for funeral and vet costs.

“I feel like we are still in shock,” said Monterroso. “We are still trying to understand how we can continue with our lives when a big part of our family a very important family member is no longer with us anymore.”

He says the injured dog named Sebastian is stable and doing well as he recovers from the collision, although he’s had a lot of pain.

Police say Fisher was in the crosswalk while hit, but they’re trying to determine who had the right of way. Police confirmed alcohol was not a factor in the crash.

As friends and family wait to learn more about the circumstances, they said their hope is that this will be a sobering reminder to all to slow down.

Watch the full report from KRON4’s Sara Stinson in the video player above.