A San Diego woman who was shot and injured during a carjacking attempt in Tijuana last month is now facing a growing financial burden as she attempts to recover her vehicle.
Cassandra Light, a life coach from Mission Beach, was driving in Tijuana in June when a gunman fired multiple shots into her Mercedes GLA, shattering the tibia and fibula bones in her leg. One bullet entered through the driver's side window and exited through the passenger door.
While Light is recovering in San Diego and has undergone several surgeries, she is currently unable to walk and therefore unable to travel to Mexico to retrieve her car. Mexican authorities have informed her that she must appear in person at the tow yard to reclaim the vehicle, a process during which storage fees continue to accumulate.
"Why am I, as a violent crime victim, being charged? Doesn’t seem fair," Light told ABC News. She has hired a lawyer in Mexico, but has encountered similar obstacles.
Light also contacted the U.S. Consulate General in Tijuana and was instructed to submit a vehicle recovery form. She is awaiting a response.
The financial impact of the incident has been significant for Light, who is also unable to work during her recovery. Her expenses include medical bills, legal fees, and rehabilitation costs, in addition to the ongoing storage fees for her car. Light chronicled her recovery journey and the associated financial challenges on a GoFundMe page.