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Fitness cited as defining part of life of woman killed during jog
Karey Marsh's passion recalled
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At the scene of the crash that killed pedestrian Karey Marsh of Thousand Oaks.
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Marsh
STORY TOOLS 
More from Conejo ValleyKarey Marsh loved to run.
For years, she ran laps nearly every morning around the same neighborhood at the border of Thousand Oaks and Oak Park where she was struck and killed by an allegedly drunken driver during her morning jog this week.
As they remembered her Thursday, Marsh's father, friends and co-workers said fitness was a defining part of Marsh's life.
Marsh, 46, liked movies, kittens and her Nissan 350Z sports car, but most of all, she was an active woman with a passion for exercise, said her father, Donald Schiller.
She typically got up before 5 a.m. to run four or five miles, said Dane Johnson, a friend who worked with her at Merrill Lynch in Thousand Oaks.
After work, Marsh usually went to Gold's Gym in Thousand Oaks for a spin class, then continued her exercise routine with step machines and weights, Johnson said.
"Her workout regimen was unbelievable," he said.
At Merrill Lynch, where she worked for 14 years, Marsh encouraged colleagues to exercise and eat right, said her boss, Julie Irato.
"She was always trying to motivate everybody to take better care of themselves," Irato said.
On her habitual morning runs, Marsh impressed fellow fitness enthusiasts with her dedication and friendly, upbeat manner.
Keith Murphy frequently saw Marsh during his morning walks, and although he never knew her name before this week, he said she brightened his mornings.
A fit woman with a bouncy run and a ponytail that swung to and fro as she jogged, Marsh always seemed to be enjoying herself, said Murphy, 65.
A Thousand Oaks resident, Marsh was born in Newbury Park, her father said.
She worked as an assistant to managers at Merrill Lynch in Thousand Oaks and also sometimes taught fitness classes at the Spectrum Club in Agoura Hills until that facility closed, said Schiller, a longtime Thousand Oaks resident.
She married once and divorced, but did not have any children.
She is survived by her father and her sister, Kelly Leach.
In recent years, Marsh worked for Merrill Lynch branches in Florida and Illinois before returning home to Thousand Oaks, her father said.
Colleagues described Marsh as even-keeled and fun-loving.
"Everyone here is really going to miss her," Irato said. "She was an important part of our family."
After her death, co-workers left several bouquets of flowers on Marsh's desk.
Colleagues also took flowers to a makeshift memorial at the crash site, said Matt Weiss, another friend from Merrill Lynch.
Flowers and candles were laid around the stump of a tree knocked down by the car that struck Marsh, Weiss said.
On Thursday, co-workers posted a sign inviting the public to a memorial service, which is scheduled Tuesday at 11 a.m. at Pierce Bros. Valley Oaks Memorial Park, 5600 Lindero Canyon Road.
Marsh was jogging in the bike lane on Lindero Canyon Road near Bowfield Street about 6:23 a.m. Tuesday when a driver heading southbound lost control of his sport utility vehicle, hitting Marsh as he crashed into a planter on the side of the road, authorities said.
The impact threw Marsh about 30 feet into thick bushes along the side of the road, leaving her shoes behind, said Detective Eric Buschow of the Ventura County Sheriff's Department's Thousand Oaks office.
The driver, Nicholas Lagrotta, 23, of Camarillo, suffered moderate injuries in the crash.
He was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol and manslaughter.
Lagrotta was booked into the medical wing of the Ventura County Jail after being released from the hospital Wednesday. He remained in custody Thursday in lieu of $50,000 bail.
He is scheduled to appear in court this afternoon.
Posted by eclipsewatcher on August 29, 2008 at 8:17 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Ms. Marsh sounded like a wonderful woman whose joy for living touched those around her. As a fitness enthusiast myself, I can appreciate her enthusiasm and dedication.
My prayers to the Marsh family.
Posted by christafrankmiller on August 29, 2008 at 9:09 a.m. (Suggest removal)
how very sad...my thoughts and prayers for the family and friends of this beautiful lady!! i hope the driver gets what he deserves...he shouldnt have been driving with all the trouble hes caused over the years driving!!
Posted by bwall on August 29, 2008 at 9:10 a.m. (Suggest removal)
What a sad story! My condolences and prayer to the family. ;(
Posted by stormcloud55 on August 29, 2008 at 9:33 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Drunk at 6 in the morning! Is there anyway to immediately hang this guy following his arraignment?
Posted by venturan15 on August 29, 2008 at 9:36 a.m. (Suggest removal)
My condolences and prayer to the family, how very sad. Can someone explain why the driver, Nicholas Lagrotta, 23, of Camarillo is driving under the influence of alcohol at 6:30am. What a shame and what a looser Lagrotta is.
Posted by animlvr on August 29, 2008 at 10:09 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Both families lives will be changed forever. My heart goes out to the Lagrottas as well as the Marshs.
Posted by rave on August 29, 2008 at 12:08 p.m. (Suggest removal)
This is so sad. I used to run this route a few years ago and frequently passed Karey, I never knew her name until now. When I heard a jogger was killed at this time I immediately thought it may have been her and the picture confirms it. She was always friendly and a few times we ran together up Lindero. She was a fixture in the community and I really saddened to hear this tragedy. God bless you Karey.
Posted by LivinInPoorMansPV on August 29, 2008 at 12:30 p.m. (Suggest removal)
They are allowing this murderer to be let out on bail!?!?!?!?
Posted by NavalAviator on August 29, 2008 at 6:33 p.m. (Suggest removal)
We need more jogging routes that are safe from cars. I do not know how this person accused of drunk driving can live with himself.
Posted by Thousand_Oaks_Mom on August 29, 2008 at 8:56 p.m. (Suggest removal)
This afternoon while quickly dropping off some of the beginning of the year paperwork at my daughters elementary school, I heard a voice shout my name. When I turned around I greeted the shout with a smile for I recognized the person calling my name. I walked over to greet her with a "Hello" assuming she was about to tell me something reguarding our children being in the same class again this year. Instead, she delivered the tragic and shocking news that Karey had been struck by a drunk driver and was killed a few days prior while jogging. I literally grabbed onto her arm to grasp myself from falling to the ground.
I have lived in the beautiful community of Thousand Oaks since 1978. I have gone to school here and have enjoyed working in the community for the majority of my adult life. I had the pleasure of knowing Karey Marsh for she frequently shopped in a boutique where I have worked for the last six years. I could always count on Karey coming into my store to shop at least once a week. She was such a beautiful woman with a great sense of style, and truely embraced a healthy lifestyle. I always enjoyed talking to her and catching up what was going on professionally and personally. It is going to be so sad to never see her walk through those doors again. My deepest condolences to Karey's family and many freinds. I know that no words can take away from your pain at this tragic time. However, please know that there are many people who are sending prayers of love and strength your way.
Posted by 2wheelsguy on August 29, 2008 at 10:11 p.m.
(This thread was removed by the site staff.)
Posted by 80593033 on August 31, 2008 at 9:32 a.m. (Suggest removal)
My prayers goes out to her family. She 1 year older than I, she seemed she live her life to the fullest.
Posted by gingerlou on September 2, 2008 at 4:36 p.m. (Suggest removal)
This is just a mess! As a runner, I can only think of many times that I've had cars, bikes and skateboarders come way to close to me.
This woman was just trying to be as healthy and positive as she could, but some complete careless "CHILD" took that away from her and from society. He didn't even realize he'd hit someone...REAL NICE!
From my perspective, throw the book at him! There are so many kids and adults who drive around carelessly, with no regard for others. Let's all try to be a little more cautious and teach people not to be so stupid on the road! The kid was probably coming back from some all night party...hope he had his last hoorah!
Posted by JAD149 on September 8, 2008 at 2:12 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Please help in bringing all of these terrible occurences to a stop. Contact the DA at the below listed information and give him your support to help make an example out of irresponsible people like Nicholas Lagrotta that dont deserve to be free on the streets.
800 S. Victoria Ave., Ventura, CA93009
805-654-2500
da.criminal@ventura.org
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