SAN DIEGO -- One of two men hurt in a hit-and-run crash in Pacific Beach last week is continuing to show signs of improvement, according to his family.
23-year-old J’Ron Erby and 25-year-old Kendrick Hester were mowed down by a car while crossing the street in the 900 block of Garnet Avenue just after 1 a.m. on Aug. 5. The four-door sedan was going the wrong way, traveling east in the westbound lanes, police said. It never stopped following the crash.
Erby sustained a critical head injury, with swelling and bleeding to his brain. He remains highly sedated in the intensive care unit of Scripps Mercy Hospital in Hillcrest.
According to a post on Erby’s GoFundMe page Wednesday, his brain has experienced no new swelling or bleeding. Furthermore, he has responded well to commands and has been able to lift his legs, arms, shoulders and head. Doctors are hoping to decrease the sedation levels over the coming days, the family said.
A Bay Area native, Erby played football for the Wayne State University in Michigan and had just started a public relations internship for the Chargers.
The Spanos family, who owns the Chargers, arranged for Erby’s family to come to San Diego and be with J’Ron while he recovers.
Hester, meanwhile, sustained a large cut to his forehead. Hester played college football with Erby and they were roommates.
“We were about to cross the street and I don't really remember much,” Hester told 10News Tuesday.
There was no description of the suspect or vehicle.
