News

Hit-and-run car owner aids police

Police are still searching for the man involved in the Sept. 15 hit-and-run that killed 63-year-old University of Wisconsin instructor John Gesinski.

Christian Garcia-Moralse, the owner of the car involved in the death of Gesinski, turned himself into police Sept. 17, according to WKOW news.

The focus of the investigation has turned toward the unnamed man driving the car. According to Channel3000.com, Garcia-Moralse, 24, has given police the description and name of the man directly involved in the hit-and-run. Police are currently seeking the suspect.

Gesinski, a UW pianist and instructor, died early Sept. 15 at University Hospital after complications from the accident.

As he was leaving the Sentry grocery store on Cottage Grove Road, Gesinski was hit on the crosswalk. After knocking Gesinski down, the driver sped away from the scene, turning right onto Vernon Avenue. The suspect then ditched the vehicle two blocks away, according to a press release.

Gesinski was sight impaired and legally blind.

His death struck the UW dance program hard, with which he was involved for 28 years.

Jin-Wen Yu, chair of the UW dance program, expressed his sorrows over the event.

“Everyone couldn’t believe that it happened. We’re all so sad over this event,” Yu said last week. “Nowadays it isn’t that easy to find a really good musician for ballet.”

UW senior Kristi Eastwood took several ballet classes for which Gesinski provided piano accompaniment.

“He seemed to love what he [was] doing and was always a pleasure to have in class,” Eastwood said in an interview last week.

Gesinski’s admirable character left an impression on the dance program.

“He had a wonderful personality and all the students and instructors really liked him a lot,” Yu said. “He was quite involved in the dance community and people loved him, especially since he was with the dance program for so long.”