Could an unusual selfie draw public attention and help solve the case of an ugly accident?
David Cook flashed 10News his smile, and he showed off a missing tooth and a cracked smile.
"One was a hairline fracture and one was sprain," he said, pointing to his wrists.
He also showed 10News his once fractured ribs.
There are reminders of the terrifying moment all over Cook's body.
It played out on a late September afternoon, just as Cook was just about home. He was riding his scooter on Texas Street on the Interstate 8 overpass with a red pickup to his left.
"He hit that gas and went to the right very, very quickly," said Cook.
Cook said he barely managed to avoid getting hit, but couldn't avoid a car waiting at a yellow light.
"Bam, white Matrix … my face hits the back of it," said Cook.
He came to, bleeding, and his jaw was dislocated. He would later need countless stitches outside and inside his mouth.
Dazed, confused and in pain, Cook kept thinking he should document the accident.
He got up and found his phone, and he began snapping several photos -- pictures he does not remember taking.
One of the photos shows his helmet near a blood stain, while two others show his wrecked scooter.
Cook does remember photographing his injuries in a selfie in the ambulance -- a half-smile to keep from crying.
"My mother always told me, 'If you're laughing, you're good. You're fine,'" said Cook.
Months later, most of his injuries have healed, but his frustrations remain. He said scooters are overlooked on the road.
"We're on the road, look for us. We're looking for you," said Cook.
The driver of that red truck remains unidentified.
"Some people say they saw him stop and look," said Cook.
A driver who makes a reckless move can be charged with a non-contact hit-and-run.
Anyone with information on this case is asked to call San Diego Police.
Cook, who is uninsured and unemployed, hopes to find a sales job, but his missing tooth is hampering his search.
Dental surgery could cost more than $10,000, but Pierce Family Dentistry has offered to cover about half the cost. Cook is trying to come up with the rest.
A GoFundMe campaign has been set up to help with Cook's medical and dental bills.
