SANFORD — A Pittsboro woman was struck and killed by a passing vehicle Sunday as she walked along Jefferson Davis Highway (U.S. 1) near the U.S. 421 bypass.
According to a statement by the Sanford Police Department, officers were dispatched at 2:17 a.m. Sunday to investigate a report of a pedestrian struck by a vehicle. Upon arrival, officers found Maybelline Ann Arzate, 27, of Pittsboro, deceased in the northbound portion of the roadway. Police said her injuries were consistent with being struck by a vehicle.
The driver of the vehicle involved is cooperating with the investigation. No charges have been filed.
A GoFundMe campaign set up by relatives of Arzate — who would have turned 28 on Tuesday — to raise money for funeral expenses had collected more than $9,000 of its $12,000 goal by Friday afternoon.
“We are unfortunately at the time where we have to say goodbye to one of the world’s most beautiful souls,” the GoFundMe description read. “ ... As unkind as life has been to her, she has always managed to overcome each battle, and she prevailed each time, always better than the last.”
The GoFundMe page can be found here.
Arzate was employed by The Chatham Rabbit coffee shop in Siler City, which posted about her death on Facebook on Sunday and was closed in mourning on Monday.
“Maybell only worked for us for a short time and you may not have gotten a chance to meet her,” the post read. “If you did meet her, you would’ve seen that her light shined as bright as the sun. Her heart was full and she was always willing to share it. We are going to miss out, but I know in heaven they are celebrating her arrival. Please consider giving to help with her funeral costs. It would be of great help to all that love her.”