SAN DIEGO (KGTV) - A kickboxer from San Diego is out of the hospital after suffering life-altering injuries from a motorcycle crash in the Golden Hills neighborhood.
Like most of her days, that Saturday in early May was a physically active one.
Francesca Petrolo, 36, had taught a youth boxing class for a local nonprofit, before hopping on her motorcycle to head home.
She was in the right lane on Market Street approaching 21st Street when she says a car came out of nowhere, trying to make a U-turn.
“I remember it was a dark car, and then boom, on my leg … in-between the car and the motorcycle, before I rolled off the bike,” said Petrolo.
Petrolo says she rolled about four times, leading to a blur of pain.
“Hugging my leg up here, and the foot was open on the other side, and I started to scream,” said Petrolo.
At the hospital, tests showed a long list of broken bones, including the spine, wrist, and leg.
A devastating foot injury forced her to make the decision, to have her left leg amputated above the ankle.
“I saved my legs. I was really worried about my legs,” said Petrolo.
Her injuries were difficult to process.
Petrolo was an amateur boxer and kickboxer in her native Italy, before moving—nearly 5 years ago—to San Diego, where she has competed in kickboxing.
“It’s not going to stop for me. It happened for a reason, and I want to be positive,” said Petrolo.
Petrolo is already plotting out her physical therapy, and life with a prosthetic foot.
“I will have other goals to achieve. I will have a different life, but again, it will be in a positive direction for sure,” said Petrolo.
Witnesses tell us the driver of the dark sedan did stop. The investigation remains ongoing.
A Gofundme campaign has been started to help her with medical and other expenses.
