U-District hit and run leaves man in critical condition and family pleading for answers

SEATTLE — A brutal hit and run in Seattle’s University District sends a man to the ICU.

It happened at 8:30 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 18 at University Way NE & NE 55th St.

The crash left Angel Ojeda sprawled on the ground unconscious and fighting for his life, with broken bones all over his body.

Ojeda is a little person and his family says that makes his recovery even more complicated. They were in the U-District over the weekend, putting up flyers in hopes of finding answers.

Ojeda is now awake in the ICU at Harborview Medical Center and spoke with KIRO 7 from his hospital bed via FaceTime on Monday.

“I’m alive!” Ojeda said. He doesn’t remember what happened but his family says he was meeting up with some friends to see a local band play at the Kraken Bar and Lounge on Friday. He’s a WSU grad and Seattle resident.

He was crossing the road when his family says a black Scion sedan smashed into him, then sped away.

SPD confirmed on Friday the description of the suspect’s vehicle, saying:

The suspect vehicle is a 2004-2006 dark-colored Scion XB, that likely has damage to the front end. It was traveling south on University Way NE from 55th Street NE at the time of the collision, and was last seen traveling that same direction when it fled the scene. TCIS would like anyone who witnessed this incident or has any information to call them at (206) 684-8923.

“Broken femur, fractured pelvis, broken ribs, broken clavicle, broken eye socket,” said his sister, Mayra Ojeda. “It’s such an unfortunate circumstance that he was literally left on the street to fend for himself. And that’s horrible.”

She says Angel’s dwarfism means the recovery process will be even more challenging, requiring a custom-designed walker when the day comes, and other equipment. Its not clear yet if Angel will be able to make a full recovery.

“I’m just happy to be here,” Angel said. “Honestly, I do forgive them. Because these things happen,” he said. “I feel like it’s a shame this happened to me but I don’t want to be projecting this outward anger at this person.”

His family says that compassion for others - even towards the person who hit him - exemplifies his character.

“He may be a little person but he has the biggest heart,” his sister Mayra said.

Now his family is fighting to get answers, talking with all the businesses at the intersection. They also put up flyers of Angel, asking people with any information to call Seattle police.

“There is absolutely no possible way that you wouldn’t know you hit him,” Mayra Ojeda said. “Somebody has to know some sort of details and it would be really helpful for us to bring those details to the police department and be able to find some justice,” she said.

Seattle police tell say the case is currently considered a hit and run but could be upgraded to a vehicular assault case depending on what the investigation finds.

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