Alejandro Arroyo and Maria Zuniga Struck by a Car

The mother of a 23-month-old toddler is asking the hit-and-run accident driver who raced away after hitting the child to turn himself in. Little Alejandro Arroyo was crossing the street with his mother last Thursday evening when the vehicle struck both mother and child.

Maria Zuniga told reporters from KXTV News Channel 10 that her son was unconscious for more than five minutes after the hit-and-run accident, described by witnesses as a maroon Chevy Astro van. Zuniga and Alejandro were walking together in front of their home on East Jefferson Street at about 7:30 Thursday evening, and witnesses say the neighborhood was “swarming” with children when the Astro came up the road at a high rate of speed.

After striking the two people, the driver, described as an Hispanic man aged between 25 and 30, with dark brown or black hair and brown eyes, didn’t even slow down to see how badly the two pedestrians were hurt. He drove away at a high rate of speed, leaving a terrified Zuniga behind. “I see my son,” Zuniga said. “Maybe he’s (going to) die. I don’t know.”

After the crash, Alejandro was rushed to a local hospital, where he was listed in serious condition. Miraculously, he was well enough to be released the following day.

Police now want to find the driver, and Crimestoppers are offering a reward of up to $10,000 for information leading to his arrest.

Nothing in the world frightens a parent more than seeing their child seriously injured. Perhaps the only thing worse is seeing the person who caused the injury fleeing the scene, apparently with no concern for the damage they’ve caused. When this driver is arrested, he will face at least one felony charge.

Once Maria Zuniga has seen to it that her toddler has received the medical attention he needs, she should contact a reputable California personal injury attorney to find out what courses of action are open to her with regards to recovering Alejandro’s medical expenses, and for her own emotional distress, pain and suffering, as well as any future treatment her son may require.

Once the driver is apprehended, the attorney could advise Zuniga how best to proceed with a civil claim, in addition to the criminal charges this thoughtless, irresponsible driver will certainly face.