What started as a pre-dawn confrontation over a car part on a quiet Pasadena-area street has left Michael “Mikey” Moreno fighting through a long and painful recovery.
Moreno, 38, was critically injured on February 12 after confronting people who were stealing the catalytic converter from his car on Garfias Drive in an unincorporated part of Pasadena, according to friends and family. Loved ones say the confrontation left him with a serious brain injury and multiple broken bones. He underwent emergency brain surgery and is now at the beginning of what is expected to be a lengthy recovery. An online fundraiser has been launched to help cover medical bills while investigators review neighborhood footage and canvass for witnesses.
Surveillance Footage And Neighbors' Accounts
Security-camera video obtained by local outlets appears to show the confrontation unfolding at about 4 a.m., and neighbors shared clips they say show suspects jacking up a Prius minutes before the hit-and-run, according to KTLA. Witnesses told the station the suspects ran Moreno over and left him in the street. Residents have been circulating flyers and video clips as detectives work to identify the vehicle. Authorities have made the footage part of an active investigation into the theft and hit-and-run.
Injuries And Condition
Friends told ABC7 that Moreno suffered a brain injury and multiple fractures, including breaks in both ankles, and that he underwent emergency brain surgery. One friend described the incident bluntly, telling the station, “Basically, they ran him over.” Family members say the medical bills and the prospect of long-term rehabilitation are already overwhelming.
Family Update And Recovery Outlook
Moreno’s mother told KTLA that he has been moved out of intensive care, a small but significant step, yet he faces a long rehabilitation and may have to relearn how to walk. The family has set up an online fundraiser to cover immediate expenses, the station reported. Friends and relatives are urging anyone who recognizes the vehicle or the people seen in the clips to contact investigators, and loved ones continue to plead for tips as detectives sort through the video evidence.
Investigation And Local Context
Detectives are actively investigating the hit-and-run and the catalytic converter theft and have asked residents to share any doorbell or security-camera footage that might help identify suspects, according to local reports. Law enforcement agencies in the region have recently stepped up outreach on converter thefts, including VIN-etching and marking events, and the Los Angeles Police Department has reported arrests in recent catalytic converter cases, per the LAPD newsroom. Neighbors say the violent incident has renewed calls for more neighborhood cameras and community-watch efforts on the block.
