A horrific accident in Gilbert left a 7-year-old girl seriously injured after a car hit her while she was biking with her family. The girl, named Alexandra Strazza, miraculously survived, which her parents attribute to the safety gear she was wearing at the time of the crash—including her helmet and thick winter coat. According to AZFamily, the incident occurred near downtown Gilbert when a driver reportedly ran a red light and collided with Alexandra, throwing her 50 feet from the sidewalk.
Her father, Daniel Strazza, told WMBF News, "I screamed right before he hit her because I saw he wasn’t stopping, and it was too late." The accident took place as the Strazza family was to return home after lunch, when suddenly the tranquility of their ride was shattered by the screeching tires and the devastating impact. Despite the harrowing events, Alexandra's puffy coat and helmet are credited to have significantly lessened the severity of her injuries.
Daniel and Sarah Strazza, Alexandra's parents, recalled the chilling moment as the crash unfolded before their eyes. "She starts crying, screaming. What’s going on? What happened? Am I dead?" Daniel recounted in an interview obtained by AZFamily. The girl suffered a broken left femur along with lacerations across her face, lips, and mouth, and underwent multiple surgeries following the accident.
While the driver of the car stayed on scene, police have yet to charge the individual, who was also found to be without insurance. "Everyday she asks us like, 'Why does this have to happen to me? Why did he have to hit me?'," Daniel Strazza stated in a poignant moment shared with AZFamily. As Alexandra faces a long road of recuperation, the family has set up a GoFundMe page to help with the soaring medical expenses.
The Strazzas are now issuing a heartfelt plea to drivers: to pay close attention and drive responsibly to prevent such needless tragedies. "Please pay attention when you’re driving and be aware of your surroundings because you can save a life that way," Sarah Strazza implored in a statement to WMBF News. The family's ordeal has become a stark reminder of the unforeseen dangers of the road and the lifesaving power of proper safety equipment.
