A 16-year-old high school volleyball player sustained a severe traumatic brain injury after being struck by a vehicle and left at the scene in Tempe, Arizona. The incident occurred around 10:30 p.m. on Friday, September 4.
Jette Heldenbrand was in a crosswalk when she was hit by a dark gray Mazda. She suffered a broken arm and multiple bruises in addition to the brain injury, and was admitted to the ICU at Banner Desert Medical Center in Mesa.
The driver of the Mazda fled the scene, and authorities are actively seeking information to identify the individual. According to the Tempe Police Department, the suspect vehicle is believed to be a dark gray Mazda 3 four-door sedan. The car is expected to have significant damage to its front driver's side, including the headlamp assembly and bumper cover.
A website has been established to aid in the search for the driver and to support the Heldenbrand family. A GoFundMe campaign, created by family friend Ali Marie Beatty, has already raised over $43,400 as of Monday evening. Beatty described Jette as "the sweetest, silly young woman" and expressed devastation over the driver's actions.
Witnesses reported seeing the collision. One witness, Julisa Carrizosa, who was on a bus leaving a volleyball game, described the scene and expressed disbelief that the driver did not stop.
Anyone with information regarding the hit-and-run is urged to contact the Tempe Police Department at (480)-350-8311 or to submit a tip online through the department's website.