Girl Paralyzed in 2011 Hit and Run accident dies from injuries - Adamson Ahdoot LLP

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Girl Paralyzed in 2011 Hit and Run accident dies from injuries

April 27, 2022 Robert Jalon

Shae Shaw was hit in a crosswalk more than 11 years ago in San Jose.

Shae Shaw was just 15-years-old when the hit-and-run accident that changed and ended her life prematurely happened. After 11 pain-filled years, Shaw died this week from kidney failure as a result of her injuries, according to her mother, Cari.

San Jose police report the accident happening on January 8, 2011, at about 1:10 a.m., when Shaw was crossing the intersections of Camden and Bascom avenues. She was struck by a gray or silver sedan, which promptly fled the scene. Shaw was taken to a local hospital, where she fell into a coma and later became a quadriplegic while also suffering from traumatic brain injuries.

The driver who struck Shaw was never found or identified, and San Jose Police have reopened the case as a result of Shaw’s death.

Cari thinks it’s too late for the reopening of the case to have any real impact.

“I got to live with her for 11 years after a heavy, heavy accident,” Shaw’s mother said. “I was lucky to have loved her this long. My focus was to be in Shea’s life, the present. Not to run after somebody who hit her that the cops couldn’t get.”

But San Jose Police explained that Shaw’s death is precisely the reason they are reopening the case.

“This now has, because of the death, extended itself to a vehicular manslaughter charge in addition to the hit-and-run. So, that expands the powers of the investigation and that’s why we’re reopening the case,” SJPD Officer Steve Aponte explained. “Although it was 11 years ago, we’re hoping that somebody may remember. And, somebody knows what this individual did. Hopefully, they do the right thing, report them and come forward.”

Accidents like Shaw’s are part of the reason San Jose police have started installing license plate reading cameras. The cameras are part of a pilot program aimed at reducing traffic accidents and fatalities in San Jose.  Shaw’s was the 26th fatal collision, the 28th traffic death of 2022, as well as the 16th pedestrian fatality.

If you or a loved one were involved in a hit-and-run accident, or have lost someone because of one, reach out to Adamson Ahdoot for a no-risk, no-cost consultation. With over 100 years of combined legal experience, the compassionate and aggressive attorneys at AA Law, always put the peace of mind of their clients first. We don’t win unless you win!

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