By Leslie Albrecht
DNAinfo Reporter/Producer
UPPER WEST SIDE — Neighbors of the Upper West Side woman mowed down by a hit-and-run driver Friday afternoon say they're struggling to make sense of her tragic death.
"The entire building is in a state of shock," said Kate Chamberlain, who lived on the same floor of the West 96th Street apartment building as Margaret Fisher, the 67-year-old retired nurse killed Friday as she crossed West 93rd Street at Columbus Avenue with a bag of groceries in her hands.
Police say Bronx resident Jessica Altruz, 24, didn't slow down after she hit Fisher with her Dodge Charger, tossing her body into the air and knocking her out of her shoes.
Fisher died at the scene.
Altruz is next due in court Thursday. She's being held on $100,000 bail after being arraigned Saturday on a felony charge of leaving the scene of the accident.
Prosecutors say Altruz could face a manslaughter charge, the Daily News reported.
A witness told police that Altruz shouted, "It was my light," after the crash, which cracked Altruz's car's windshield, dented the hood and left blood on the car, according to a criminal complaint filed by the Manhattan District Attorney's office.
Altruz didn't hit the brakes after the crash, only slowing down when the car in front of her stopped at West 93rd Street and Amsterdam Avenue, according to the complaint.
Residents of Fisher's apartment building at 127 West 96th St. described Fisher as a well-liked neighbor who volunteered for Habitat for Humanity and a women's shelter and was active in her church.
Fisher carried herself with "elegance," Chamberlain said, and was the type of neighbor who could be counted on to look out for others.
"It's very hard for me," said Gloria Rosenberg, who lived on the same floor as Fisher. "I can't even fathom that I'm not going to be seeing her. She was a very good, fine person."
Fisher lived alone and had family in California and Oregon, a neighbor said. She was active and healthy, often going for walks and swimming for exercise, neighbors said.
Fisher wasn't a native New Yorker, and she made it a point to take advantage of what the city had to offer, often going to the theater, said Myrna, a neighbor who didn't want her last name used.
"She was a very nice lady. Interactions with Margaret were always exceedingly pleasant," Myrna said. "She was never grumpy."
Neighbors said they're hoping to find out from Fisher's family when a memorial service will be held so they can bid a final farewell to Fisher.
