Donations Sought for Teen Who Lost a Leg in Hit-Run

ANAHEIM — A community group is seeking donations for a 16-year-old Anaheim youth who lost a leg last month when he was struck by a hit-and-run driver and pinned against a house.

Officials at the George Washington Community Center, where Jose Viramontes was a participant in the center’s athletic programs, say the money will be used to help offset the youth’s medical expenses.

Donations can be mailed to the center, 250 E. Cypress St., Anaheim, Calif. 92807. Checks should be made payable to the Friends of the George Washington Community Center and a note should be attached earmarking the money for Viramontes.

Viramontes, who was injured in the Aug. 19 accident at the intersection of East Wilhelmina Street and Olive Avenue, remained in critical condition Wednesday at UCI Medical Center in Orange, a hospital spokeswoman said.

The boy was walking to the dentist with six members of his family when a car jumped the curb, pinning him against a house and severing his leg. His family was knocked to the ground by the car, but no one else was seriously hurt.

The driver of the car fled the scene. Anaheim police have identified a suspect, Gabriel Avila Vega, 42, who lived next door to the accident scene. A police spokesman said Vega remains at large and anyone with information on his whereabouts should call the department at (714) 254-1900.