Jaylene Aguirre, 16, has been hospitalized in critical condition after she was struck by a pickup truck whose driver left the scene. According to an NBC news report, the major injury collision occurred on Dec. 25 near the girl’s home in Hemet. Aguirre and her boyfriend were riding his new minibike when they were struck by a Toyota truck. Aguirre suffered serious injuries including multiple broken bones, lacerations and internal bleeding in her head.
Fundraising to Pay Medical Costs
Her boyfriend was treated at the scene for minor injuries. Officials say the driver who struck the young couple was driving a gray Toyota truck with possible front-end damage. Jaylene’s father, Frank Aguirre, told NBC that his daughter is a positive person with a big heart and that his entire family was recovering from the coronavirus.
He has also started a GoFundMe page asking for donations to help with his daughter’s hospital bills. She has still not regained consciousness after the accident, her father said. Anyone with information is urged to contact Hemet police at 951-765-2400.
Our thoughts and prayers are with Jaylene Aguirre who according to her father has a long road to recovery, given her critical injuries. We wish her the very best for a complete recovery.
Laws and Liability Issues
Under California Vehicle Code Section 20001 (a), it is illegal to leave the scene of an injury or fatal crash. California Vehicle Code 20001 (a) states: “The driver of a vehicle involved in an accident resulting in injury to a person, other than himself or herself, or in the death of a person shall immediately stop the vehicle at the scene of the accident.” In addition, motorists are required under the law to exchange information with other parties involved and most importantly, remain at the scene and get help for the injured victims.
In such cases, it is the injured victims and their families who suffer the most. As with the Aguirre family, many are left to fend for themselves to raise money for medical costs and other unforeseen expenses through social media or crowdfunding. These incidents where hit-and-run drivers are not identified or found also take an emotional toll on victims and families because they want the driver to be found and held accountable.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a hit-and-run crash, an experienced Riverside car accident lawyer can help you secure fair compensation for your losses. A knowledgeable lawyer will also be able to advise you about how compensation may be available through the uninsured motorist clause of your own auto insurance policy, especially in cases where the hit-and-run driver is not found or where the at-fault driver is uninsured or underinsured.
Source: https://www.nbclosangeles.com/news/local/girl-hit-run-crash-hemet-hospital-injured/2493987/