GILBERT, Ariz. — Alexandria Strazza will be 8 years old in April, but, for now, the birthday celebrations will be on hold as she is at a hospital recovering after she was hit by a car while riding her bike on Monday.
The family was out biking to downtown Gilbert for lunch. On their way back home, a driver plowed through a red light and struck Alex Strazza, who was on the crosswalk on Lindsay Road, just north of Elliot Road, her family told 12News.
“He basically T-boned her on her bicycle,” her father, Daniel Strazza, said. “She didn’t even see him coming, because he came through so fast.”
Alex Strazza's parents witnessed the crash as they were a few feet behind her.
“I screamed right before he hit her, because I saw he wasn’t stopping, and it was too late, he hit her,” Daniel Strazza said. “I thought she was dead immediately. There was no way that anybody could have survived that hit. The way her body got thrown, I thought right there and then we lost our daughter.”
The parents immediately rushed to aid Alex Strazza as witnesses called 911. Sarah Strazza, the child’s mother, and a registered nurse applied an improvised tourniquet on the 7-year-old’s left leg, which was “four times the size as her other leg,” she said.
“I was just trying to calm my daughter at that point,” Sarah Strazza said. “She was screaming and didn’t know where she was at or what happened. So, I just said everything was going to be okay.”
Paramedics rushed Alex Strazza to Banner Children’s Hospital in Mesa. She had a broken femur and deep lacerations to her face, mouth and teeth.
She remains in stable, but serious condition, the child’s parents said.
Daniel and Sarah believe Alex’s helmet and puffy winter jacket, helped save her life, as they said she was struck by the truck at full force and was pushed about 50 feet from the crosswalk.
“That definitely helped lighten the blow of her injuries as far as her upper body goes,” Daniel said. “She had angels with her for sure, because it’s a miracle she survived it.”
Gilbert police told 12News the crash is still under investigation. The driver was not arrested or cited on the scene.
The Strazza’s are now urging drivers to pay attention to the road and be responsible when behind the wheel.
“I don’t know what this guy was looking at that was more important than paying attention to the road,” Sarah Strazza said fighting back tears. “But please pay attention when you’re driving and be aware of your surroundings because you can save a life that way.”
“The phone calls can wait, the text can wait,” Daniel Strazza said. “You got to be responsible when you’re driving a vehicle.”
Alex has undergone facial and femur surgeries that have taken a toll on her little body, her parents said.
The parent said Alex is a kid who enjoys the outdoors and staying active. She is a tumbler, is involved in performing arts and loves going to school.
“She’s such a spirited kid and anybody that knows her, knows how lively and bright, funny and loving she is, so it’s hard to see her this way,” the father said. “Because she is just really down.”
Thankfully Alex Strazza is expected to make a full recovery, although that will take time.
The Strazza’s said the driver who hit their daughter did not have insurance. They have created a GoFundMe account to help pay for medical expenses. Anyone can donate here.
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