Family and friends of a 15-year-old Los Gatos girl who has been in a coma since an SUV struck her three months ago are hosting a fundraiser Friday to help pay for her in-home medical care.
Shea Shaw, a Los Gatos High School student, was hit by a vehicle at Bascom and Camden avenues in San Jose about 1 a.m. Jan. 8 as she was leaving a party with her boyfriend.
She’s been at Valley Medical Center ever since, but now, her family said, she’s being told to go home.
“She is having baby steps of improvement,” said Shea’s uncle, Pat Passanisi, a restaurant consultant, “but nothing drastic. She can hear a little. Her eyes haven’t opened yet, but they’re just starting to.”
Police have not found the driver. A few days after Shea was struck, police released a video that was taken from across the street at a gas station. The video does not show many details of either the vehicle or the driver, but it does show that the vehicle did not slow down after it struck the girl.
Shea’s mother, Cari Shaw, a stylist at Jigsaw Salon in Los Gatos, has stayed by her daughter’s side most of her waking hours. She will now be Shea’s main caretaker at home, and she said she will be seeking the best possible care for her.
Shea’s father, Rob Shaw, who is no longer married to Cari and is in construction, is also helping out.
The family has insurance, but Passanisi said it only covers a portion of the medical bills. He said he rounded up a lot of community donations to auction off at Friday’s event, and hopes 200 people will come to Three Flames Restaurant, 1547 Meridian Ave. in San Jose, on Friday at 6:30 p.m.
Tickets are $40 and will be sold at the door.
The family already hosted a large garage sale for Shea, which grossed about $3,000, Passanisi said — $1,000 of which was given by one man who drove up and cut a big check to help the teen.
Anyone who wants to help can send a check to any Wells Fargo and put “Shea’s Hope” in the memo line, or click on www.sheashope.org. The website has information about how to contribute money through the Eric Drew Foundation.
Anyone who may have witnessed the collision or who may have information about this case can contact Detective Nqui Scherry of the San Jose Police Department’s traffic investigations unit at 408-277-4654. Persons wishing to remain anonymous may call the Silicon Valley Crime Stoppers at 408-947-STOP (7867), or visit http://svcrimestoppers.org. Tipsters may be eligible for a reward.
Contact Lisa Fernandez at 408-920-5002.
