ESCONDIDO, Calif. (KGTV) -- Hundreds of people attended a carnival hosted by a celebrity chef on Monday to raise money for an Escondido restaurant owner nearly killed in a hit-and-run last December.
Kaitlyn "Rosie" Pilsbury was riding her motorcycle when she was hit head-on by the driver of an SUV. The driver ditched the vehicle and took off.
It happened in Vista just days before Christmas. Pilsbury suffered massive injuries and was in a coma for 12 days.
"When I heard this happened my first call was to the network, my second call was to the mayor, and my third was to all these people, this is a 'Restaurant: Impossible' family in a community that cares about that young girl," said celebrity chef Robert Irvine of the Food Network.
RELATED: Escondido restaurant owner remains in ICU after being hit by an SUV
Irvine first met Pilsbury when her restaurant, Rosie's Cafe, was featured on his show "Restaurant: Impossible."
"She's got the heart of gold, she helps this community inside, out she became very close to me a year ago," said Irvine, who visited Pilsbury in a rehab center Sunday. "She looks way better than she did four days ago. And today, she looks way better than she did yesterday."
Pilsbury's mom flew in from New Jersey the moment she heard about the accident. Marie Pilsbury said the support is overwhelming.
"She is, I believe, a miracle, in my opinion. I'm sorry, all the prayer and all the love I know that she felt it and I know that it made a difference," Pilsbury said tearfully.
Her daughter is scheduled to be released from a rehab center on Tuesday.
"She is so positive and so thrilled and so thankful for everything," said Pilsbury.
Irvine told 10News' Rachel Bianco that the event helped raise nearly $120,000 that will go towards Kaitlyn Pilsbury's medical bills.
