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Vero Beach hit-and-run victim dies from injuries

Posted at 10:17 PM, Dec 28, 2015
and last updated 2015-12-29 05:43:16-05

INDIAN RIVER COUNTY, Fla. -- A woman hit by a car while riding her bike in Vero Beach just days before Christmas has died.

Vero Beach Police say 52-year-old Valerie Waters was riding her bike just before midnight near the intersection of Old Dixie Highway and 12th street.

A driver hit her and left the scene.

Waters died days later in the hospital.

"I thank God that He got her that far so we were able at least to say goodbye," said Waters' daughter, Nicole Sammons.

Sammons spent the day Monday putting together a collage of pictures and messages to her mom, while other family members and loved ones dropped by her home.

"She was an awesome mom. She was always there for us… she loved her family. She really did," Sammons said.

Walters was a mother to three, and a "nana" to 9- grandchildren.

"She fought hard. A hard fight," Sammons said.

Sammons said her mother rode her bike everywhere, but wasn't sure where she was heading the night she was hit.

"I don't know how this could happen. I can't see her just riding out in the road or riding somewhere where she's not going to be able to know what's going on," said Waters' other daughter, Ashley Waters.

Now, the Waters family and Vero Beach Police are urging anyone who might know who hit Waters to contact authorities.

Investigators do not know much about the driver, but suspect the car would have significant front-end damage.

"They weren't watching what they were doing. They need to confess," Waters said.

Family has set up a Go Fund Me account to pay for memorial and funeral expenses.