Father of College of Charleston student killed in hit-and-run speaks on the tragic loss

CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCBD) – A father in mourning reflected on his daughter’s life just days after she and her friend were killed in a hit-and-run in Charleston.

Lizzy Zito had a lot to look forward to over the next month. She was set to graduate from the College of Charleston and turn 21 a few weeks later.

“Every day she counted down until she was 21 on May 26^th. ‘Daddy, I got a month left. Dad, I got two months left.’ She couldn’t wait to be 21,” shared Frank Zito about his daughter.

The 20-year-old tragically did not live to see these exciting milestones. Zito and her friend Arianna Gamber, who was also 20, died on Sunday after Charleston Police said they were hit by a car on Morrison Drive. No arrests have been made.

“This is probably the worst thing anybody can go through,” Zito told News 2. “And I know, again, accidents happen, but to leave two people there, when its human to human is worse than what an animal would do. And, that part I can’t forgive. I just can’t forgive that.”

The victim’s father said Gamber was in town visiting his daughter and believes the two were walking home from a birthday party.

“It was like 1:15 in the morning, she said she was going to be home in 15 minutes and that didn’t come. So, we figured the incident was between 1 and 2 o’clock in the morning,” Zito said.

He said his daughter loved animals and worked at a local clinic. He remembers her beautiful singing voice and her passion for making music.

“She’d sing every night in the other bedroom with her headset, and she made up her own music, recorded her own music,” Zito said.

The mourning father was surrounded by friends and family in the wake of the loss, but he said the hole in his heart will never be filled.

“Lizzy was everyone’s heart and soul. Everybody loved her. Our lives will never be the same,” Zito shared.

Lizzy Zito leaves behind her parents and two brothers, as well as her two cats and Frenchie.

News 2 spoke with Gamber’s mother on the phone, who said her daughter “was in love with life,” and said they’re praying justice will be brought to both families.