Help Sequoia Overcome Hit-and-Run Trauma

On April 20th Noah and Sequoia were riding their scooters from the University of Hartford to Noah’s apartment. The 3-mile route is comprised almost entirely of quiet, empty side streets and parks. The stretch on the busy road near the university has decent sidewalks to ride on followed by an area where they have to ride on the shoulder for a few hundred feet (the sidewalks are too damaged).

It was on this short stretch where they were struck from behind by some type of truck or delivery vehicle. Both students wear bright yellow jackets with reflective stripes, helmets, and their scooters also have reflective strips and front and rear LED lights.

Sequoia was following Noah up the hill when she was hit by the vehicle. It struck her in the back and left arm. She had her Mac Book Pro in her backpack (a gift from Liz and Noah in January) and it acted like a metal plate protecting her torso from major trauma. It is destroyed. Her backpack was ripped from her body. Everything in it had been crushed. It flew 8 feet into the grass. She was then spun to the right where she was struck again in the head by the vehicle’s mirror. Her helmet was destroyed. The back of her scooter was run over and crushed. She collapsed into the road where Noah pulled her screaming onto the grass. He then called the ambulance and she was transported to the hospital immediately.

She suffered a bruised lung, three fractured ribs (go Apple!), a very bruised left arm, and a hematoma on her skull. She is blessed to be alive.

The police are looking for the driver who abandoned the scene.

Sequoia is from South Africa and her parents aren’t stateside. She also doesn’t have renter’s insurance to cover the loss of her computer, scooter, helmet, backpack (and everything in it). Thankfully her phone and glasses were thrown into the road and Noah was able to gather them. Her clothes were cut from her body in the ER (which I think is almost more traumatizing than anything else).

Thankfully Sequoia will recover from her injuries barring any complications. Both kids are mentally traumatized from the event. We know and are thankful that everyone’s prayers mattered and were heard through the night. Thank you so very much for praying for them. It means the world to them. To us.

I’m starting this Go Fund Me page to help her replace the items damaged since the driver has not been found, and she doesn’t have renter’s insurance. Noah helped her sign up for the state health insurance, so we are hoping for low deductibles.

Thank you for continuing to pray for her healing, both body and spirit. Please pray the police will find the person responsible. Please lift them both up in your prayers as they process the trauma and thank you for your financial help if you can. Our love to you all!