SAN DIEGO (CBS 8) - A 23-year-old man is in critical condition with a brain injury after being struck in a hit-and-run crash, but doctors say he is showing signs of improvement.
J’Ron Erby, an intern for the San Diego Chargers, and his roommate had been out celebrating the roommates birthday when they were both struck by a car in the 900 block of Garnet Avenue early Friday morning in Pacific Beach. Police say the driver suddenly went into oncoming traffic, hit the two men and sped off from the scene.
"It’s very frustrating and it’s hurtful. It's senseless and it's painful," said J'Ron's mother, Trina Erby.
J'Ron Erby's family says they are praying for the 23-year-old's speedy recovery.
"It’s shocking when I got the news. I can't put the pieces of the puzzle together. It’s not making sense to me. Not one bit of it is making sense. I can't understand how someone could hit one person, more than one person and just drive off,” said Trina.
Erby remains in critical condition at Scripps Memorial Hospital in La Jolla. Doctors diagnosed him with three skull fractures and a severe brain injury. His family is raising money to help cover the long road to recovery on GoFundMe, and they're also raising awareness about the accident in hopes that somebody who witnessed the crash will come forward with information that can help investigators. J'Ron's roommate was treated for laceration to the forehead.
"There’s people out there that have good hearts. Now, they have to have the courage to step up and that's what we're here for,” said J’Ron’s brother Lee Erby.
Police are still trying to get a description of the car. CBS News 8 spoke with several businesses that are reviewing security footage of the crash. Anyone with information is asked to contact San Diego Crime Stoppers or the San Diego Police Department.
If you would like to make a donation to the Erby family, click here to visit their GoFundMe page.