Michigan Man Sentenced to Six Months for Hit-and-Run That Paralyzed Teen

A Michigan man has been sentenced to six months in jail for a hit-and-run incident that left an 18-year-old woman permanently paralyzed. James Lawrence Shaheen, 40, was also given 18 months of probation.

Gabriella Golden was riding her longboard in Hartland, Michigan, on October 22, 2024, when a Mini Cooper driven by Shaheen crossed the center line and struck her. According to police, Shaheen then sped away from the scene, leaving Golden "screaming in pain on the ground." She was transported to a local hospital where she was found to have suffered a spinal injury, carotid artery complications, a dislocated shoulder, liver and spleen injuries, and road rash. The injuries resulted in paralysis from the waist down.

Mobilized by bystanders who heard the crash and called for help, police identified Shaheen as the driver. A fender from his vehicle, found at the scene, contained a part number consistent with his Mini Cooper model. Surveillance footage from a nearby residence also captured images of a Mini Cooper. Detectives identified Shaheen as a suspect due to his proximity to the crash site and ownership of the car model.

Shaheen initially evaded law enforcement. A state trooper visited his home the day after the incident but received no answer. Two days after the crash, Shaheen turned himself in after consulting with a police chief friend. He told authorities he fled because he was "scared" but wanted to "do the right thing." He also stated that he had been petting his dog and had a "panic attack" when he crossed the center line, contributing to the collision and his subsequent flight.

When investigators searched Shaheen's property, they discovered his Mini Cooper concealed in a wooded area. The vehicle showed evidence of the collision, including blood on the windshield and near the rear passenger brake light, as well as hair found in the windshield's weather seal.

Golden's aunt, Monica Schwartz, expressed that Shaheen's actions appeared "calculated" and suggested he may have attempted to conceal his involvement before contacting authorities. Schwartz added that Golden, who was in her first semester of college at the time of the accident, had been "excited to start her new life."