The family of Brittany Norton, the 28-year-old female who was hit by a vehicle on February 1, leaving her in critical condition, is asking for help to cover the costs of caring for her.
The family set up a Web site, which can be accessed by clicking HERE, asking for contributions including monetary and frequent flier miles.
“As anyone can imagine, a tragic event like this is an extreme financial burden on the family, and doubly so in this tough economic climate,” reads a statement on the Web site. It goes on to detail that much of asked-for-donations would go to cover the costs of allowing her mother to come the Los Angeles area to care for Norton.
“Hopefully the hit-and-run driver has insurance and will cover the huge medical costs. But rental cars, travel, lodging and logistics are quickly adding up. Any donations would be extremely helpful to her parents and our family, no matter how small, to help pay for these immediate costs.”
Norton is currently at the Neuro-ICU at UCLA hospital. “She’s had trauma to the head causing blood on her brain, multiple facial fractures and broken ribs,” read a statement at At this time she is conscious and responsive, and has come off the ventilator. The UCLA team has been running tests to determine the extent of her brain injury.”
In the an e-mail to the Mirror Norton’s family said, “Brittany is in critical condition and it is a miracle that she is alive today. She is fighting for her life and we so appreciate the communities support and prayers at this time.”
On February 1, at 9:38 p.m. Norton was struck by a vehicle while crossing the street at the intersection of Main Street and Pacific Avenue. The initial investigation revealed that the driver of the vehicle, a 40 year-old female resident of Malibu, was traveling approximately the speed limit and headed northbound on Main Street. Norton was walking westbound on Pacific Ave in a marked crosswalk. The driver attempted to pass a slower moving vehicle by making an illegal pass on the right of the slower vehicle, using the bicycle/parking lane to do so. The pedestrian was about three feet into the crosswalk when she was struck by the vehicle.
The driver of the vehicle failed to stop at the collision and continued northbound on Main Street. A witness was able to obtain the license plate of the suspect’s vehicle and notify the Santa Monica Police Department. Officers observed the vehicle in the area of 2nd Street and Ocean Park Boulevard and arrested her for felony hit and run.
The Santa Monica Police Department is continuing to investigate the cause of the collision.
Anyone with information regarding this case is asked to contact Investigator Chris Dawson at 310.458.8954 or Sergeant Jay Trisler at 310.458.8971 or the Santa Monica Police Department (24 hours) at 310.458.8495.
If you wish to remain anonymous, you can call WeTip at 1.800.78.CRIME (27463), or submit the tip online at www.wetip.com. You will remain completely anonymous and may be eligible for a reward, up to $1,000.00, if your information leads to an arrest and conviction.
Or, anonymous tipsters can contact Crime Stoppers by either calling (800) 222-TIPS (8477) or by visiting their website at www.lacrimestoppers.org. To text an anonymous tip to Crime Stoppers, please view their webpage for detailed instructions. If the information leads to an arrest, the tipster is eligible to receive a reward up to $1, 000.00.
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Santa Monica MirrorMirrorStaff@smmirror.com
