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JAMESTOWN, NY (WNY News Now) – A memorial bench was placed in Dow Park in the City of Jamestown over the weekend, remembering 15-year-old Alexis “Lexi” Hughan “Gone Too Soon.”
Lexi was killed in a hit-and-run accident on New Year’s Eve 2021. Since then, one community member has been doing whatever she could to honor the late teen.
“Things on the side of the road had started to get kind of dusty and dirty, and people were saying stuff about it and I thought, how can I help,” explained Missy Paterniti. “How can I make this little girl have a beautiful memorial somewhere in the city of Jamestown for people to come and visit and celebrate her life.”
Lexi’s mother, Sara Rafaloski believed that her only child would have loved that the ceremony kicking off pride in the City of Jamestown.
“She loved pride,” said Rafaloski. “In fact that was one of the main pictures we used all over the place for her, was the one from pride fest. So, yeah very excited about it, I’m sure that she’ll be with me down at the stage.”
The man behind the wheel, Randal Rolison, pleaded guilty to the vehicular manslaughter. A saving grace to Rafaloski.
“I’m really glad that it’s over,” explained Rafaloski. “I’m glad that I don’t have to sit through any grueling details of any case stuff that nobody needs to hear, no fighting over something that obviously happened that’s obviously his fault, it’s all done and over. So, I’m much happier about that, and it was really cool to have this happen the very next day.”
Dow Park has always been known as a place of memorial, and the dedication ceremony was no different.
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