ABINGDON, Md. — An Abingdon man was arrested after a serious hit-and-run in Harford County, and a GoFundMe has raised more than $7,000 so far for the victim.
The victim - 21-year-old Amaya Marie Martise - was struck by a car while walking back from Walmart along Tollgate Road Sunday evening.
She wasn't found until the next morning, severely injured and lying in a ditch, said the Sheriff's Office.
"She was out there all that time and, it's just messed up because it's like was she awake the whole time out there suffering," says LaTanya Marie, Amaya's mother.
She says it pains her to know someone could hit her daughter and leave the scene.
WMAR-2 News' Ja Nai Wright speaks with Amaya's mother
"But you literally left her with no regard, no remorse, no care, a human being you left lying in a ditch because you were in a rush. Why didn't you call for help for her? you could have did it anonymously, you just left her," says Marie.
Deputies arrested Lebogang-Ram Motshabi, 25, who was released on Feb. 12 on $5,000 bond.
Investigators believe Motshabi was driving at about 6 p.m. Feb. 9 when he struck the victim, pushing her off the road. The items she was carrying were found near the crash site.
A passerby found her at about 9 a.m. on South Tollgate Road at Aiken Terrace. She was flown by Medevac helicopter to a trauma center, said the Sheriff's Office.
Motshabi was charged with failing to return to the scene of an accident that involved injury, driving without a license, driving uninsured, and related crimes.
The victim, who has a 1-year-old daughter, remains hospitalized in serious condition.
Her mother posted in a GoFundMe;
Fifteen years ago, we moved to this area, and since then, Amaya has made it a daily routine to take a peaceful walk near our home. Tragically, last week, this routine walk ended in a horrific accident. Amaya was struck by a car, and the callous driver not only fled the scene, leaving her injured and alone in the cold, wet woods, but was released on a shockingly low $5,000 bail...
While we are immensely grateful that she survived, her medical expenses are expected to be substantial, far exceeding what our insurance will cover. Beyond the medical bills, there's the added burden of securing childcare for her daughter while Amaya heals...
Amaya is a resilient woman, and despite the trauma she's endured, she possesses a remarkable strength of spirit. We remain hopeful for her full recovery and are working tirelessly to ensure both she and her daughter receive the care and support they need.
The Sheriff's Office encourages anyone with more information to contact Corporal Shane Fraser of our Special Operations Division; Traffic Unit at 443-409-3511.
