Providence, Rhode Island – A Rhode Island woman has pleaded no contest in a fatal hit-and-run case that left an 85-year-old woman dead and a tight-knit community grieving the loss of a couple known for their daily morning walks.
Caitlin Kelly, 29, entered her plea in court on Tuesday for failing to stop after a crash that killed 85-year-old Vanda Makovetskiy, who had been walking hand-in-hand with her husband — a ritual the couple had kept for nearly three decades since arriving in the United States from Ukraine.
The case drew widespread attention not only because of the tragedy itself but also because of the actions prosecutors say Kelly took immediately after the collision.
What Prosecutors Say Happened That Morning
According to courtroom reporting, prosecutors explained that surveillance footage captured Kelly stopping at a red light at 6:14 a.m. on October 4, 2023. Moments later, she turned onto North Main Street, where Vanda and her then-93-year-old husband were on their daily morning walk.
The couple had been a familiar sight in the Providence neighborhood, known for strolling side-by-side every morning for 28 years. Their walk, referenced in Vanda’s obituary, symbolized their enduring partnership and the life they built after immigrating in 1995.
Collision Caught on Camera
The fatal impact was recorded on video, along with Kelly’s immediate failure to stop and render aid. Footage showed her continuing up the road until reaching another traffic light, where she paused, then drove away again without calling 911.
Prosecutors noted that Kelly sent a text message to a friend around three minutes after hitting Vanda, writing that she “just hit someone head-on riding a scooter.” She also filed an insurance claim shortly after the crash, an action investigators later cited as evidence that she knew she had struck a person and attempted to conceal her involvement.
Text Messages Revealed During the Investigation
Investigators located Kelly’s car two days after the fatal crash and had it towed for examination. That same day, Kelly sent two alarming texts to friends, prosecutors said:
“I’m so f—ing scared.”
“I’m in deep s—.”
Authorities argued that these messages further demonstrated her awareness of the severity of the crash and her decision not to report it.
Heartbreaking Words From the Victim’s Husband
During Tuesday’s hearing, a spokesperson read statements from members of the Makovetskiy family, including a message from Vanda’s widower, 96-year-old Anisim Makovetskiy.
He wrote about the life he shared with his wife of 53 years and the shock of losing her first.
“My plan was completely different. I’m older, and I couldn’t even imagine that I would be left without my other half,” he wrote. “I shudder and my heart breaks every time people meet me on the street and remember how they saw us both every day.”
Sentencing and Penalties
Kelly received a 10-year sentence, with three years to serve at the Adult Correctional Institutions and the remaining time suspended. She will also be on probation for 10 years and has had her driver’s license suspended for three years.
The case has reignited conversations about hit-and-run penalties, responsible driving, and the devastating consequences of choosing to flee rather than help.
Community Impact
Residents in the area have described the loss as profound, noting that the Makovetskiys’ daily walks brought a sense of warmth and familiarity to the neighborhood. Many expressed hope that the sentencing brings some measure of closure to a family whose life changed on an otherwise ordinary morning.
Share Your Thoughts
If this case affected your community or you have thoughts on hit-and-run laws and sentencing, share your experiences in the comments below.
