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Fatal Hit & Run Victim Was Young Lawyer, Returned To Be Closer To Family

By Karen Morfitt

DENVER (CBS4) - Authorities have identified the victim in a fatal hit-and-run as a 28-year-old lawyer.

According to Denver police, at around 1:30 a.m. Sunday a white pickup truck struck Karina Pulec while she was walking with her boyfriend near 13th Avenue and Broadway.

Pulec died at the scene and her boyfriend was rushed to the hospital.

Karina Pulec
Karina Pulec (credit: Facebook)

Pulec worked as an attorney at the Hogan Lovells law firm in Denver. The firms managing partner, Cole Finegan, says after graduating from Cornell she moved to California and had only recently returned to Colorado to be closer to family.

"She was a lovely young woman. She had great intelligence great poise ... was well-liked by everyone who worked with her," Finegan said.

Karina Pulec
Karina Pulec (credit: Facebook)

Police found the truck that was involved shortly after the collision. It was left abandoned near 8th Avenue and Acoma Street.

Finegan says he's confident police will find those responsible. His hope is the focus will be on the amazing young woman whose life was taken far too soon.

Karina Pulec
Karina Pulec (credit: Facebook)

"That's who was lost and in that moment. Not only was her life lost and ruined, but a lot of other people's lives were affected," he said.

Investigators say the truck they found was not stolen, but are still working to identify the driver.

Karen Morfitt Joined the CBS4 team as a reporter in 2013. She covers a variety of stories in and around metro Denver. Connect with her on Facebook, follow her on Twitter @karenmorfitt or email her tips.

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