Contributed photo
CeCe Staten Gilchrist.
(Updated) — City staffers are mourning the loss of one of their own — Celeste “CeCe” Staten Gilchrist, a 68-year-old New Havener who worked for over two decades as a school crossing guard.
Gilchrist was struck and killed in a hit and run on Whalley Avenue between Davis Street and Anthony Street last Sunday morning, according to city police.
Investigators believe she was looking for her small dog at the time of the fatal incident. (See more details about that below in this story.)
Jeannette Pizarro, the city’s chief crossing guard supervisor, told the Independent Thursday that Gilchrist — or “CeCe,” as she was known to friends and family — was a dedicated and beloved public servant.
“She was very professional and for more than 20 yrs. of service, she maintained perfect attendance,” Pizarro said by email. “Our city’s children and parents loved her and spoke very highly of her. She was always willing to support her community with different activities; such as art walks, road races, parades, farmer’s markets, marches for adult education and much more. She truly loved her job.”
Pizarro said that CeCe’s life was defined by more than just her work. She was also someone friends and family turned to whenever in need.
“She was a sweet gypsy soul, warrior, humanitarian and an animal right’s activist. Through life’s challenges, she always saw the silver lining. No matter what day you may have, she was the beautiful soul, who through her kindness you would be able to see life’s pleasures again.
“Many of us, on the Guard division are deeply pained that we will no longer share our lives with CeCe. It’s hard to believe that I will not hear her laugh anymore. I, as well as the City Guards, and many friends will hold on to her beautiful memories and live each day well, in her honor.
“Meeting CeCe has been one of my greatest pleasures. CeCe has been very special to me and will live on in my heart.
City Transportation, Traffic & Parking Director Doug Hausladen expressed a similar level of hurt and sorrow in an email to city staff Thursday about CeCe’s death.
“Cece will be remembered by her years of service to the school children in New Haven and survived by her son and brother, and all of her fellow crossing guards and TT&P family,” he wrote. “She has impacted countless children and families in her years of service as a Crossing Guard.”
He later told the Independent that Gilchrist most recently worked as a crossing guard at King Robinson Inter-District Magnet School and at Lincoln-Bassett Community School.
According to city police press releases from earlier this week, Gilchrist died early Sunday morning after being struck by a motor vehicle as she crossed Whalley between Davis Street and Anthony Street.
Investigators believe she was looking for her small dog at the time.
Hausladen said that TT&P is taking up a collection to help CeCe’s family with burial costs and is joining in on a community sponsored donation to the New Haven Animal Shelter, in honor of her love of her dog Harlem. Hausladen encouraged any readers interested in donating to give to the local animal shelter.
“CeCe was beloved as a crossing guard and neighbor and friend,” he said.
“We take every crash extremely seriously, especially injury and fatal crashes. Since finding out that it was one of our own and a safety guard, we have been in a state of shock and disbelief that Cece was taken too soon from us. We ask for your thoughts and prayers for her family, and ask that everyone please thank our safety guards when you see them and give your support to our team as we collectively grieve the loss of one of our most beloved team members.”
West Rock/West Hills Alder Honda Smith told the Independent that CeCe lived in her ward, and that she periodically saw her walking her dog around the neighborhood.
“She was always smiling,” Smith said, “and she always waved. Overall, she was just a really good person.”
See below for an earlier version of this article.
Celeste Staten, 68, ID’d As Hit-And-Run Victim
Police have identified Sunday’s hit-and-run victim on Whalley Avenue as 68-year-old New Haven resident Celeste Staten.
In an email press release sent out Monday morning, city police spokesperson Capt. Anthony Duff wrote that police continue to investigate the fatal weekend hit and run.
Staten died early Sunday morning after being struck by a motor vehicle as she crossed Whalley Avenue between Davis Street and Anthony Street.
Duff wrote that investigators believe Staten was walking in the area not far from her home prior to the accident. According to a witness, Staten was looking for her small dog.
“As the woman crossed Whalley Avenue, the first westbound vehicle struck her and then turned left to travel south on Anthony Street,” Duff wrote.
“Investigators have not yet confirmed if two additional westbound vehicles struck the injured victim in the roadway. The second vehicle continued west on Whalley Avenue. The third vehicle turned right to travel north on East Ramsdell Street.”
City police and firefighters responded to the crash scene. Staten was pronounced deceased at the scene.
Duff wrote that, as officers held a crime scene overnight and into the morning, an officer standing at Whalley Avenue and Anthony Street was approached by a small tan dog on a leash. After further investigation, the officer learned that the dog belonged to Staten.
On Sunday morning, the officer transported the dog to the city’s Robin I. Kroogman New Haven Animal Shelter at 81 Fournier St.
“According to shelter director NHPD Officer Joseph Manganiello, as of Monday morning, the small mix Lhasa Apso dog is still being housed there.”
Investigators also located on Sunday the vehicle which left a bumper at the crash scene. Detectives impounded the vehicle for further investigation.
Anyone with information about the crash is asked to contact the New Haven Police Department at 203-946-6304.
See below for an earlier version of this article.
Another Hit & Run Driver Kills Pedestrian At Whalley & Davis
One or more drivers struck a 68-year-old pedestrian on Whalley Avenue between Davis and Anthony streets around 1:30 a.m. Sunday
Emergency workers arrived to find the woman lying in the roadway. They pronounced her dead on the scene, according to police spokesperson Capt. Anthony Duff.
“Officers learned the pedestrian was struck by one or more cars which fled the scene. Left behind at the crash scene was a vehicle’s bumper and additional evidence,” Duff wrote in a release. He asked witnesses who haven’t yet spoken to police to call detectives investigating the incident at 203-946-6304.
At roughly the same spot, a hit-and-run driver struck and killed 11-year-old Gabrielle Alexis Lee on June 4, 2008, a tragedy that helped a citywide traffic-calming movement.
Yet another victim lost to the Whalley Avenue State of CT controlled road. How many pedestrian versus vehicle accidents on this road in the last 75 years? How many deaths from the same? How many other State of CT controlled roads in the area are regularly suffering from similar accidents and deaths due to the road design and "improvements" which takes into consideration only vehicle traffic flow, and not bicycle or pedestrian safety? How many more people must be injured and killed until something is done to make the streets in the area safer for humans, not faster for vehicles?