By Thomas Tracy
As a shattered family lay a Native American princess, former dancer and celebrity shopper to rest, cops are trying to find the motorist who killed the 64-year-old Bay Ridge activist, during a hit and run at a 4th Avenue Dunkin’ Donuts parking lot. As this paper went to press, cops said that they have yet to identify a suspect in the Saturday evening hit and run. Witnesses told police that Princess Dena Butler, a 94th Street resident since the 1970s who used the title “princess” to honor her deep connection to her native Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina, was walking through the parking lot near 94th Street and 4th Avenue at 7:30 p.m. on January 21 when she was struck by an oncoming car. Suffering from head trauma, Butler was rushed to Lutheran Medical Center where she died of her injuries, officials said. Butler, a neighborhood tenant advocate, is survived by her son Heathcliff Segal, his wife Yvette, grandson Bennett Michael and three brothers. Bereaved family members remembered a life well spent during a three hour service at Clavin Funeral Home, followed by a burial at Kensico Cemetery in Valhalla, New York. Friends said that Butler lived an exceptional life as the Community Mayor of New York, an actress who appeared in two movies starring Elvis Presley and a back up singer for the likes of Marvin Gaye and James Brown. Most recently, Butler was a personal shopper at FAO Schwartz, Barney’s New York and Toys R’ Us for a host of celebrities, including Cher, Gloria Estefan and Michael Jackson. Although cops from the 68th Precinct said that they have no description of the vehicle involved in the hit and run, family members told the Daily News that Dena was struck down by a white GMC Denali. After striking her, the driver of the Denali got out of his car, but quickly jumped back inside and sped off, family members said. Investigators believe that the vehicle may have been speeding through the driveway, which is often used as a quick connector between 4th and 5th avenues. State Senator Marty Golden, who handled a number of neighborhood problems with the 64-year-old, said that he was “deeply saddened by the horrific reality that a great friend and great community leader, has been taken from us at the hands of a reckless driver.” “I encourage anyone who witnessed the accident to come forward and contact the Police Department with information in order to bring justice in her name,” said Golden, who helped push through legislation in Albany that would increase penalties against drivers that flee from the scene of an accident that results in serious injury or death. Cops are asking anyone with information regarding the hit and run to call the 68th Precinct at (718) 439-4211 or the NYPD Crimestoppers hotline at (800) 577-TIPS. All calls will be kept confidential.
