Two of five younger dancers who were injured in a hit-and-run crash early Saturday night are still in Intensive Care according to media reports, but the community has rallied to help defray some medical expenses..
The five were in a car struck by a car driven by a youth who ran a red light on Pacific Coast Highway while running from police and traveling northbound.
All five of the victims, students at Premier Dance Arts in Los Alamitos, had been dancing together earlier in the day and were on their way to a dinner reservation in Old Town when the suspect crashed into them. Four of the five were reportedly knocked unconscious during the crash, and one suffered a lacerated spleen but doctors were able to prevent it from fully rupturing. Another suffered heavy internal bleeding. The teenagers seem to have a long road to recovery ahead of them. If anyone one would like to donate to the dancers and their families, the Academy directors, David and Renee Kim, have set up a gofundme page to help defray medical expenses. As of this morning it had already raised over $32,000.
The suspect– described as a male, 18-to 20-years old and approximately 5-feet-10 inches tall — hopped out of his vehicle and ran into The Hill district. He was last seen wearing a maroon shirt, according to police. The Seal Beach Police Department urged anyone with information regarding the crash or the suspect to contact them at 562-799-4100, ext. 1627 or jdowdell@sealbeachca.gov. Anonymous tips can also be made through Orange County Crime Stoppers at 855-847-6227.
