It was one of the few nights those closest to Shea Shaw are feeling a sense of excitement. There were prizes to win in a raffle, an auction, and a dinner all in honor of the 15-year-old who remains in the hospital, out of a coma but still minimally responsive.
"I can't tell you how horrible it is. It's like walking through a nightmare and that you can't get out of it," said Louise DeLucchi, Shea's grandmother.
The nightmare started Jan. 8 on South Bascom Avenue and a gas station surveillance video captured it all. Shea was crossing the street with some friends after a party, when suddenly a car slammed right into her and the driver kept going.
"Even though at a distance, it's very disturbing to see the victim fly over the car," said San Jose Police Officer Jose Garcia.
San Jose police are making this case a priority, but detectives have no leads.
"It's just so traumatic and to know that it was a hit and run. Whoever does that?" said Cari Shaw, Shea's mother.
Raising money is top of mind -- lots of it -- because the medical bills are piling up. The family says the system is pushing Shea out because she's not improving fast enough.
"First they said she'd die and then they said she'd be a vegetable. Now she's starting to open up her eyes," said Shaw.
Shea has only a few days before she has to move out of Valley Medical Center. However, before Shea can even leave the hospital, a lot still has to happen. Her mother is in the process of moving into a one-story home with wheelchair access. New floors have to go in, and a special bed still has to be delivered and none of it comes cheap. The goal on Friday night was to raise $20,000.
Anyone who would like to help donate to Shea's fund can do so through the website for her.
