Students, professors, faculty, and family members alike gathered at Leber-Lakeside Funeral Home on November 20 in Landing, NJ to mourn a loss and commemorate a life.
Naomi Segura, a fourth-year Law, Technology, & Culture major, was as known for her wit and intelligence as she was for her full-bodied laugh and wide smile.
Segura, 25, was struck on Nov. 13 at 9:20p.m. by a vehicle near the corner of Central Avenue and Summit Street, in Newark, NJ. The driver, later identified as 21-year-old Brianna Williams of East Orange, did not stop.
Segura was rushed to UMDNJ-University Hospital, but succumbed to her injuries about for hours later, near 1:15a.m. of Nov. 14.
Williams is charged with knowingly leaving the scene of an accident involving death and failure to render aid, according to Essex County Prosecutor’s Office Spokeswoman Katherine Carter. Her detention was scheduled for Thursday, Nov. 29.
Segura was born in Newark and lived in Bloomfield, before moving to Byram in 1997. The eldest of four, Naomi aspired to be a civil rights lawyer, and was well on her way to reaching her goal. A member of Student Senate’s Lobbying Committee and intern at Micklin Law Group in Nutley, NJ, Segura had already taken her Law School Admission Test and was set to graduate this fall semester.
A familiar face and deeply involved member of the Murray Center for Women in Technology, Segura managed her schoolwork, on-campus involvement, and internship with the grace of a skilled juggler. At her life celebration, friends and family members spoke of her accomplishments and skill with great respect, admiration, and love.
“She never left the house without heels on,” said Adrea Radwan, Segura’s roommate. “I don’t know how she did it.”
The sentiment was echoed by Segura’s suitemate, Ujjwala Rai, and others. “I liked to call myself her pseudo-roommate, because she always had to kick me out at night,” Rai recalled fondly.
Another friend recalled Naomi’s love of brunch, sharing anecdotes from their most recent brunch date. “She came dressed in her finest.” Many smiled while recalling Segura’s fashion sense, and the myriad scarves she would use to put up her hair, or bring color to an outfit.
Though NJIT’s Law, Technology, & Culture department is infamously small, Segura touched the hearts of many; the Leber-Lakeside funeral home overflowed with family, professors, friends and acquaintances from NJIT, and friends from all eras of Segura’s life.
Students from NJIT have expressed great frustration and grief over Segura’s passing, and have vowed not to let this tragedy be in vain. Though it is a city issue as well, they plan to use this incident as a catalyst to make the area safer for pedestrians and drivers alike.
Segura was laid to rest at the Cemetery of the First Presbyterian Church, in Succasunna. She is survived by her parents Althea and Jose Segura, and siblings, Jordan, Johanna, and Thea. NJIT will award Segura’s degree posthumously.