Woman remains in coma, seriously injured after hit-and-run in Saanich
The family of a young woman seriously injured in a hit-and-run two weeks ago doesn’t know if she will regain consciousness.
Aisha Strange, 20, was driving her moped about 7 a.m. on July 15 when she was struck by a van near the intersection of McKenzie Avenue and Shelbourne Street.
The 25-year-old driver of a blue Dodge caravan tried to flee the scene, but was arrested a short distance away. He is now being investigated for impaired driving.
In the crash, Strange suffered multiple broken bones and a traumatic brain injury “that will impact her short- and long-term future in unknowable ways,” her family said in a statement. She has been in a coma since the time of the collision and it’s not known when she will regain consciousness, it said.
Strange had been studying political science and anthropology at the University of Victoria and planned to go to law school or into teaching. She was injured on her way to her summer job, where she worked with children.
Her family described Strange as “a kind and generous person, who delights in adding humour and joy to the people around her.”
“The community of people that Aisha touches in such positive ways are all suffering from this senseless act,” they said. “The results of this senseless act have been a nightmare for her family and friends.”
Strange’s parents, who live in Calgary, have dropped everything to move to Victoria to be with her.
Doctors have told the family that her recovery will be very long, with unpredictable outcomes.
Family spokesperson Sue Nicholls said a GoFundMe account called Aisha’s Path to Recovery has been set up. Money raised will be used for transportation, adaptive living and other supports for the family, Nicholls said.