A 14-year-old boy who was hospitalized after being struck by a hit-and-run driver in Santa Ana over the weekend suffered a brain injury in the collision and was fighting for his life, his family said Monday.
The victim, identified by family members only as Juan, was in critical condition at UC Irvine Medical Center.
"He has multiple injuries to his head, his brain, to his leg, he's fighting - he's fighting for his life. He's strong, he's not giving up," said the teen's cousin, Diane Meneses.
The victim is a high school freshman who family members described as a good boy who loves science and the band Cold Play. He was on his way to school when he was hit.
Police found him lying unconscious on Fairview Street, just south of Civic Center Drive, about 8:10 a.m. Saturday.
The car that struck the teen may have been a 2001-2006 BMW 300 series, based on evidence found at the scene, police said. Witnesses described the car as black.
Police said the car will be missing a right-side mirror and fog light, and will have damage to the right side fender.
Anyone with information is urged to call police at 714-245-8214.
Photo Credit: Courtesy Santa Ana Police Department