The family of an 11-year-old girl injured in a hit and run shared an update on her health Friday.
Juan Montanez said his youngest daughter Jazzy is doing better after 11 days in the hospital.
“She couldn’t really talk a lot but she’s thankful,” Montanez said, holding back tears. “She feels all the support.”
Montanez left his daughter’s bedside to thank the Wallingford businesses and community members who came out to a fundraiser for her medical bills at Crush Winery.
The hit and run happened on October 12. Police who know the driver is and have seized their car. They’re now collecting evidence for an arrest warrant.
“Everything that’s in their investigation goes into that arrest warrant affidavit,” John Raad, the family’s personal injury lawyer, said. “They want to make it bulletproof and they should. That’s truly what justice is for this little girl.”
Jazzy’s case is one of five pedestrian crashes involving kids that have happened over the past two months. In total, six children were hurt and there’s been one arrest so far.
In Norwalk, a driver turned himself in after he allegedly struck two children who were crossing the street and then drove off. The crash happened on October 20 and the two kids are expected to be okay.
A 17-year-old was released from the hospital after police say he was injured in a hit and run in West Harford on October 15. He was found on the side of the road. Police are still looking for the driver.
Investigators are also looking for who was behind the wheel in a September 29 hit and run that seriously hurt a 16-year-old girl in Hartford. Dash camera video captured her crossing the street and the moment a car hit her. The girl’s family friend is offering a reward for information to help ID the driver.
In East Haven, a driver who hit and killed a 5-year-old boy stayed after the crash but police have not made an arrest. Officers have not shared any more details on what led up to the September 17 collision.
A driver who hits a pedestrian and then leaves usually faces harsher charges than staying, even if distracted or impaired driving was involved.
“Accidents happen but to drive away, you can’t excuse that,” Raad said.
