Hit and run leaves 'devastation' in its wake as moped rider with life changing injuries now fears she can't pay her bills
Six weeks after a pick-up truck ploughed into her, a moped rider is finally home — but now fears she can’t pay her bills.
A GoFundMe page with a target of £1,000 has been created by Julie Pullen to ease financial concerns after her wife, Liz, was knocked off her 50cc moped along Burrfields Road in a hit and run on her commute home earlier this year.
The 55-year-old, who was hit by a white VW Amarok, sustained life changing injuries after shattering the top of tibia, as well as suffering further damage to her lower tibia and a broken ankle.
As a result of her extensive injuries, Liz spent six weeks at QA Hospital and St Mary’s, and despite now being home, she is now facing six months with an Ilizarov frame and up to a year of rehabilitation to get her walking again.
Julie said: “I was very unsure about starting a GoFundMe page but a few people had said to do it as Liz is on statutory sick pay until she can get back to work.
“Bills still need to paid. Due to the injury being caused by an unknown driver, we have not been able to claim anything from our insurance yet. The future is very unsure financially.”
Liz, who works as a parts advisor at Mercedes-Benz, has already undergone two painful surgeries on her leg and has had multiple pins fitted, with doctors warning her that she may need further operations in the future. Due to the severity of her injuries, the couple may have to make “drastic changes” to their home down the line depending on Liz’s recovery.
The fundraiser says: “Without the money from insurance and the loss of income it is uncertain if we will be able to cover bills and mortgage payments so may need to move anyway. This money will help us be able to stay in our home. It will help ease financial worries so the focus can be on recovery.”
Liz previously said: “I was on my commute home from work on my moped when this white pick up truck pulled out in front of me, not giving me a chance to be able to stop because it was too close and the next thing I end up in the gutter on the other side of the road, with the bike on the floor and me on the floor in pain. It's just devastating. I can’t do anything much for myself.”
The fundraiser, which was established on Wednesday, March 11, has already raised £519, with 13 people donating.
Julie added: “We will get through this one way or another and we have had lovely people already donating to help. I feel that when we receive any compensation because people have helped us now I will want to pay these kind acts of donation forward if we are able to.”
Hampshire Police has made an appeal for anyone who saw the incident, which took place on January 23 just before 5.30pm, or who has dashcam footage to come forward.
In a previous statement, the police force said: “We are appealing for witnesses and dash cam footage following a fail-to-stop collision in Portsmouth. This involved a blue motorcycle and a white van.
“The motorcyclist, a woman in her 50s, suffered serious leg injuries but the driver of the van did not stop at the scene. We would like to speak to anyone who witnessed this incident, in particular anyone with relevant dash cam or CCTV footage that may assist our investigation.
“Anyone with information should call 101 quoting reference 44260035600.”