A 16-year-old high school volleyball player has suffered a severe traumatic brain injury after being struck by a car at a pedestrian crossing in Tempe, Arizona, in an alleged hit-and-run.
Jette Heldenbrand was hit by a dark grey Mazda at about 10.30pm on 4 September. The driver is believed to have fled the scene, leaving her fighting for her life in the intensive care unit at Banner Desert Medical Center in Mesa.
Jette also suffered a broken arm and what her family described as multiple scrapes and bruises.
Ali Marie Beatty, a family friend, said the Arizona Sky Volleyball Academy player was “the sweetest, silly young woman” and had touched the lives of many people.
“She’s so sweet and bubbly and funny and kind,” Ms Beatty said. “It’s devastating that someone could hit somebody and drive off and leave them.”
Julisa Carrizosa, who was sitting at the front of a bus leaving a volleyball game, said she saw Jette being struck.
“In my eyes, I thought this person could very much be gone,” she said. “Nobody deserved that. Just sickening that even though that took place, that that person would make the decision to go.”
Tempe Police said the vehicle was likely a dark grey Mazda 3 four-door saloon. It is expected to have significant damage to the front driver’s side, including the headlamp assembly and front bumper area.
Police said the car may be missing a substantial part, or all, of its front bumper cover.
A fundraising page set up to support Jette and her family had received more than 43,400 dollars by Monday evening.
Anyone with information has been asked to contact the Tempe Police Department on 480-350-8311 or submit a tip online.
