Witness To Hit-And-Run That Left 14-Year-Old Fighting For Life Talks About Horrific Crash
SANTA ANA (CBSLA) — A teenager who witnessed a 14-year-old struck in a near-fatal hit-and-run accident Saturday spoke out Wednesday.
The driver who left the boy fighting for his life is at-large. The victim is being identified only as an honors student named Juan.
CBS2's Michele Gile spoke to Pablo Hinojosa, a witness.
The accident occurred at South Fairview Street and West Fifth Street.
"He was in really bad shape," the witness said. "I've never seen anything like it."
Hinojosa is believed to be the only witness to the accident.
He said he never hesitated to stop his own car to render aid to the victim.
"The car rammed into him," Hinojosa said. "The boy went face-first into the right-front section of the car. The car slowed down slightly, but then it accelerated right away and took off."
Police showed Gile parts of the 3 series black BMW left behind in the aftermath of the crash, including broken parts of the passenger-side mirror and housing.
Authorities also released a photo of the car taken by a city camera about a minute after the crash.
"I don't know why he or she didn't stop," said Blanca, the victim's mother. "I don't know why. But just turn yourself in."
She and her husband have been at the boy's side since Saturday. He is in the ICU at UCI Medical Center in a medically induced coma.
Juan has brain swelling and broken bones and is in "extremely critical" condition.
"He has always been a strong boy," said Blanca. "Stay strong for us; come back to us. We have so many plans."