“Girl's dad urges hit-run driver to 'step up' - Orange County Register” plus 1 more

Girl's dad urges hit-run driver to 'step up' - Orange County Register

Posted: 12 May 2010 05:34 PM PDT

DANA POINT –The father of a 7-year-old girl who was run over asked the hit-and-run driver to come forward and talk to investigators about the accident that left his daughter in critical condition.

"The person needs to step up and be responsible," said Joseph Cope, who drove his daughter to a Laguna Beach hospital after she was run over while skateboarding with friends. "I can't imagine their conscience or the guilt of running over a girl."

As of Wednesday morning, 7-year-old Tabatha Cope remains hospitalized and in critical condition as family members wait to find to find out if she will need to undergo additional surgery, Cope said.

Tabatha suffered several broken bones, including a collar bone and ribs. Because of the crash, she has lost most of her teeth and suffered a lacerated liver. She regained consciousness Tuesday morning in CHOC Hospital in Mission Viejo, where she was taken from Laguna Beach because of the extent of her injuries.

"The fact my daughter is alive is a miracle in itself," Cope said.

Cope described his daughter as an active girl with a quick wit, the youngest of four siblings who likes climbing trees and meeting people.

"She's a suck-it-up type of girl – a fighter," Cope said.

Tabatha and 15 to 20 friends were playing near the area of Silver Lantern Street and La Paz Avenue Monday evening at about 6:30 p.m. when the crash occurred, authorities said.

Described as an active and friendly girl with blonde hair, Tabatha was riding a skateboard at the intersection when she was hit by the vehicle.

"She said, 'I looked both ways,' she crossed and out of nowhere there was the truck," Cope said. "She doesn't remember much more."

A 6-year-old friend ran to Tabatha's 13-year-old sister who picked up Tabatha and ran uphill to their Dana Point home. Joseph Cope put her in a car and drove to the nearest hospital.

According to authorities, a man driving a truck similar to the description given by authorities stopped and asked about Tabatha, but left the area.

The truck involved in the hit-and-run was described by witnesses as a light colored, raised pickup truck or military-style vehicle with a blue stripe.

Speaking to reporters outside of the hospital where his daughter is being treated, Cope asked the driver to trust authorities.

"He's probably fearful and scared of the consequences," he said. "Trust the judicial system."

Anyone with information is asked to contact investigators at 949-425-1860 or 949-770-6011.

Contact the writer: shernandez@ocregister.com or 949-454-7361

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7-year-old girl injured by hit-and-run driver - KABC

Posted: 12 May 2010 05:55 PM PDT

DANA POINT, Calif. (KABC) -- Orange County sheriff's deputies are searching for a hit-and-run driver who ran over a 7 year-old girl. The incident happened at Silver Lantern Street and La Paz Avenue in Dana Point at about 6:30 p.m. Monday.

According to investigators Tabitha Cope was on her skateboard playing with a six-year old friend in their Dana Point neighborhood when she was run over by a light colored pickup truck. Cope survived and is now at Children's Hospital at Mission in guarded condition.

"She says it was a truck. It was bigger than the average pickup truck so it was higher up off the ground, but she doesn't remember much more than that," said the victim's father Joseph Cope.

"She looked both ways before crossing the intersection. Literally out of nowhere a white truck with a blue stripe came by, struck Tabitha, ran her over, left the seven-year old girl in the middle of the intersection and fled the scene," said Jim Amormino of the Orange County Sheriff's Department.

The truck that hit Tabitha fled going eastbound on La Paz Avenue. Tabitha's six-year old friend ran to her house to get her older sister.

"Her older sister, nearly 14-years of age, literally picked Tabitha off the street, carried her uphill to her father," said Amormino. "Her father Joseph rushed her to Mission Hospital in Laguna Beach but because of the seriousness of the injuries she was transported to CHOC Mission Hospital where she remains in pediatric intensive care."

According to Tabitha's dad she is outgoing, always smiling and can fend for herself.

"I just can't see driving away and leaving a child in the street. I imagine the person is probably fearful and scared of what the consequences may be but I know they're always a lot worse when we don't face the consequences," said Joseph Cope.

Anyone with information on the crime is urged to call the Orange County Sheriff's Department at 866-TIP-OCSD or 866-847-6273.

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