Arrest Made in Fatal Seekonk Hit and Run Case

Bristol County District Attorney’s Office
Thomas M. Quinn III
District Attorney

Press Release
September  13, 2019​​​​

 

 

 

A 37-year-old Seekonk woman who was struck by a vehicle last night while she walked along Newman Avenue in Seekonk with her 11-year-old son has died as a result of her injuries and the alleged driver in the hit-and-run incident has been taken into custody this morning in Providence, RI.

 

The suspect, Jeremy Schmidt, 27, of East Providence, RI, was arrested by Rhode Island State Police around 4:30 a.m. today. He will be arraigned in Rhode Island this morning as a Fugitive From Justice. 

 

The suspect did not stop his vehicle, a Jeep Cherokee, after the crash and fled across the state line after striking the victim.

 

Seekonk Police responded to the area of 893 Newman Avenue last night around 6:46 pm for a reported hit and run incident involving a pedestrian. When first responders arrived, they found the a male passerby rendering aid to the victim, who was later identified as Antonieta Vargas.  The victim was rushed to Rhode Island Hospital, where she was later pronounced deceased.

 

The case is being investigated by Massachusetts State Police detectives assigned to this office, prosecutor, Seekonk Police and Rhode Island State Police.

 

If the defendant waives rendition and is going to be transported back to Massachusetts, this office will send a follow up media advisory.

 

 

Contact:

Gregg Miliote

Director of Communications

508-997-0711

774-292-9576–cell