Family of student killed in hit-and-run promises to celebrate life

SOUTH FULTON COUNTY, Ga. — The family of a Georgia Tech student who was killed in a hit-and-run accident is preparing to say their final goodbye.

Authorities tell Channel 2's Audrey Washington that a driver hit Ruth Bakatukanda, 23, on I-85 in South Fulton County Saturday. Bakatukanda was taken to a nearby hospital, where she died days later.

"She's a fighter so she fought. She fought very hard," Bakatukanda's sister Christelle said.

The driver of the car is on the run and police told Washington that information about what happened is still very limited.

"She brings out something in me that I don't even know…that nobody else was able to," Christelle Bakatukanda said.

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She broke down while trying to talk to Washington about her loss.

"We're all in this together. We're all hurting," Christelle Bakatukanda said.

Ruth Bakatukanda was a former Savannah State University cheerleader, who was now a junior at Georgia Tech.

The say she loved life and was known for her beaming smile.

"Celebrate her life because only God knows why this happened to her," Christelle Bakatukanda said.

Ruth Bakatukanda's friends are remembering her on social media with dozens of posts and trying to help the family raise money for a funeral with a GoFundMe page.

Those we love don't go away,they walk beside us every day.Unseen, unheard,but always near,still loved, still missed and very dear #RIPRuth😢😘 pic.twitter.com/XPJkgExkbB
— Ma'Kyha (@_Kyhaloves) June 21, 2017