Woman speaks about hit-and-run crash after awakening from medically-induced coma

Michelle Holguin struck by car July 15 while riding bike in Sunrise

DEERFIELD BEACH, Fla. – A waitress who was struck by a car last month while riding her bicycle home from work in Sunrise spoke to reporters Thursday for the first time since the crash.

Michelle Holguin, 53, was placed into a medically-induced coma after the hit-and-run crash and has been recovering at a hospital in Deerfield Beach.

Doctors treated Holguin for injuries to her head, along with other injuries, including a broken leg and other bones and a punctured lung.

Holguin said she doesn't remember the July 15 crash that sent her to the hospital and doesn't want to.

"It's rough. It's really rough dealing with it," she said.

Holguin finished her waitressing shift at Lester's diner, took off for home on her bike and was struck from behind by a car, authorities said.

Police said the driver kept going.

"It hurts that he didn't say 'I'm sorry,'" Holguin said. "I don't know why he did it."

The accused driver, Adrian Perez, 21, turned himself in to authorities on Aug. 11 after police released surveillance video that shows a man, believed to be Perez, pulling into a gas station after the crash and inspecting damage to his car.

According to an arrest report, Perez texted a friend after the crash and said that he struck a deer with his car.
Police said he then went home and looked online for news stories about the hit-and-run.

 


About the Authors:

Layron Livingston made the move from Ohio's Miami Valley to Miami, Florida, to join the Local 10 News team.

Amanda Batchelor is the Digital Executive Producer for Local10.com.