A 20-year-old Cal State Long Beach student was struck and left severely injured by a hit-and-run driver while riding his bicycle in Fountain Valley on July 4.
Caysen Robinson, of Huntington Beach, was in the bicycle lane near Bushard Street and Columbus Court around 10:25 p.m. Tuesday when he was struck, Fountain Valley police said. He was returning home from holiday festivities.
The driver left the scene of the crash, but bystanders came to Robinson’s aid before first responders arrived.
Caysen suffered a broken leg, fractures to his face and jaw and even a heart rupture, his mother, Marelise Robinson told KTLA.
“He was completely run over,” Marelise said. “He suffered massive heart injuries.”
She said it was a miracle he survived considering the severity of his injuries.
“Fortunately, pedestrians stopped and the first unit responders got him in time and brought him to [the hospital] where the team saved his life,” said Marelise.
Emily Jones tells KTLA the accident happened right behind her house.
“There was a black bumper in the gutter,” Jones said. “It looked like the bike was in the street, in the gutter, in the bike lane, and the front tire was launched off the bicycle.”
Police later confirmed that several car parts from the suspect’s vehicle were left behind at the scene.
“Fortunately, those pieces were able to lead to serial numbers and they were able to identify that it’s between a 2014 and a 2019 Toyota Highlander,” said Scott Robinson, the victim’s father.
Following heart surgery, Caysen remains in stable condition at UC Irvine Medical Center on Friday night.
As he recovers, his family remains devastated and is pleading with the public to help track down the hit-and-run driver.
“We really are asking the public to come forward,” said Marelise. “If anybody saw anything, if there are any cameras, share that information with the Fountain Valley Police Department or Huntington Beach.”
A GoFundMe has been set up on behalf of Caysen to cover his medical expenses.
With a long road to recovery ahead, his family said it’s uncertain when he will be able to resume his studies at Cal State Long Beach.
Anyone who may have witnessed the crash, or has any additional information, is asked to call the Police Department’s traffic bureau at 714-593-4481.