Driver Arrested In Seekonk Hit-And-Run That Left Mother Dead

SEEKONK (CBS) – The driver charged in a hit-and-run crash in Seekonk that killed a mother in front of her child appeared in court Friday afternoon.

The Bristol County District Attorney's Office said 27-year-old Jeremy Schmidt of East Providence was arrested around 4:30 a.m. by Rhode Island State Police.

They said Schmidt was driving a Jeep Cherokee on Route 152 around 6:45 p.m. Thursday when he went up on the sidewalk and hit a woman who was walking with her 10-year-old son.

Schmidt didn't stop and drove off into nearby Rhode Island, according to police.

The woman, 37-year-old Antonieta Vargas of Seekonk, was rushed to Rhode Island Hospital where she died. Police said she and her son lived nearby. He was not physically hurt in the crash.

When first responders arrived, a man who was not Schmidt had stopped to help.

According to Schmidt's attorney, Schmidt did not know Vargas had died until Friday morning. "He looked like he was in shock to me, he was unaware of that particular fact and I don't think he could process it," said John Gasso.

Schmidt waived rendition in court in Providence as a fugitive from justice. He is expected to be arraigned Monday in Taunton District Court on several charges, including leaving the scene-death resulting, OUI, and negligent operation of a motor vehicle.