Santa Ana: Driver Arrested in Hit-and-Run Bicycle Crash

Hit-and-run bicycle accident: Police have arrested a driver who hit a 13-year-old girl and left her lying on a Santa Ana street.

Felony hit-and-run: A 65-year-old Fountain Valley man was arrested Tuesday after he struck a 13-year-old girl on her bicycle in Santa Ana last week and fled the scene.

•   A sixth-grade girl was riding her bicycle in a crosswalk when she was hit by a car and severely  injured.

•   The driver fled the scene, but came forward a week later and was booked on felony hit-and-run charges.

•   The victim, who was initially in critical condition but is now home recovering, said she forgives the man who hit her. 

The bicycle accident occurred  at about 7 p.m. on February 6 according to an NBC News report.

Santa Ana police said 13-year-old Teresa Pham was riding her bicycle northbound on Greenville Street when she attempted to cross Warner Avenue  in a crosswalk. A car that was driving westbound on Warner Avenue struck Pham and fled the scene.

“The driver fled the scene, making no attempt to stop or check on the condition of the injured girl,” said Santa Ana Police Cpl. Anthony Bertagna told the Los Angeles Times.

Several motorists stopped to try to help the teen as she lay in the street in extreme pain. Pham suffered major injuries, including a broken leg, multiple fractures, internal injuries, and severe injuries to her face. She was hospitalized in critical condition.

Bertagna later said the the suspect, Arif Abdul Sattar, reportedly returned home and told his family that he had been involved in a collision. After his family saw an ABC News report about the accident, they urged him to surrender to police.

“The family was advised by the suspect that he was possibly in an accident. They saw the story and got an attorney and came forward,” Bertagna said.”Through negotiating with the attorney, the suspect in this case has surrendered himself as well as the vehicle as being involved in this accident.”

Sattar was booked on felony hit and run charges and was released on bail Wednesday, Bartagna said. The little girl he injured said she forgives him.

“Maybe he has a family,” Pham said. “I don’t really know what’s happening in his life, but maybe he’s dealing with stuff,” she said.

When asked what she would say to Sattar if she had a chance, the sixth-grader said, “I would say, ‘God bless you.’”

Santa Ana Bicycle Accident Lawyers

The trial attorneys at Blackman Legal Group, a California-based law firm founded by renowned trial attorney Clifford Blackman, have successfully represented bicycle accident victims and their families for 35 years. The nationwide toll-free number to call for a free consultation is 1-866-692-8126.