FORT LAUDERDALE, FLA. (WSVN) - Police have unearthed several critical clues more than a week after a woman was left in critical condition following a hit-and-run crash in Fort Lauderdale.
Lynn Hessley remains partially sedated at Broward Health Medical Center. Her sister, Jennifer Hessely, is unable to visit her due to COVID-19.
“We did have the opportunity to FaceTime her, so we did have the chance to see her,” said Jennifer. “Her eyes flickered a little bit when she heard my voice. I was the one that got to do it, so that was a really big moment for us.”
Days away from celebrating her 40th birthday, Lynn’s plans were frozen after, police said, a driver slammed into her on A1A just before 11 p.m. on July 3, then fled the scene.
Fort Lauderdale Police have the surveillance video showing the impact. Witnesses said a white Ford Mustang with multiple stickers on the back of the vehicle was involved.
However, the plates detectives had led them to the wrong car, though, they said, the people were cooperative.
“It’s important for the public to know that the surveillance video we have that’s part of our investigation shows about seven to eight other vehicles, that their travel was impacted by this incident,” said Fort Lauderdale Police Sgt. DeAnna Greenlaw, “so we’re confident that they may have a bit of the pieces that were missing. We’re doing everything we can. We are pulling tips. We’ve received dozens of tips from yesterday to today.”
That Mustang is now believed to be a newer model, between 2015 and 2017.
The trauma surgeon on Hessley’s team said her recovery has been slow but steady. She has brain and orthopedic injuries and is on life support.
“She’s a fighter. Let’s start with that,” said Dr. Jose Lozada with Broward Health Medical Center. “She was pretty badly injured. These are injuries people often do not survive. Because of a little bit of luck and some amazing people that I work with, we’ve been able to get her this far. She’s been a little slow to wake up. She had some pretty bad injuries.”
Investigators said that even though the beach was closed for the holiday weekend, they are confident the right clue is out there.
Jennifer Hessley said they’ve had support from strangers from around the country and around the world, but they just need the right tip.
“Please come forward. Lynn needs this for her recovery. Our family needs this,” she said. “We want to see justice served for what happened. This is not anywhere close to how we would be wanting to celebrate that day, but we’re here, this is what we’ve got, and we’re going to keep moving forward until we get through it.”
If you have any information on this hit-and-run or the driver’s whereabouts, call Broward County Crime Stoppers at 954-493-TIPS. Remember, you can always remain anonymous, and you may be eligible for a reward.
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