LAPD officers raise $39,000 to help South LA hit-run victim, single mother of 4

SOUTH LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- Maria Torrez is still in a wheelchair from a brutal hit-and-run accident in South Los Angeles that left her badly injured.

But thanks to some LAPD officers who were moved by her situation, Torrez and her four children are getting a little help for her recovery.

"I thought life was very difficult and I didn't think that I would get out of these problems, but now with everyone that's been assisting me, I can see the light at the end of the tunnel," she said in Spanish.

The officers set up a GoFundMe account to help the single mother, who has been unable to work since the Nov. 12, 2017 hit-and-run.

The account has raised almost $40,000 and now the officers are helping her and her children move into a better apartment in a new neighborhood.

They are using the money to help her find an apartment in Orange County, so she can be closer to her daughter who attends Cal State Fullerton.

"My children are very excited that finally they'll be able to have a room of their own instead of sleeping in the living room," Torrez said.

All the attention and help from complete strangers has left Torrez overwhelmed.

Back in December, when the officers gave her the first update on fundraising- when they had raised $8,000 - she broke down and cried.

She lives in a one-bedroom apartment with her four children in South Los Angeles and paid about $850 in rent.

"I've never had that much money, so I want to make sure I pay all of my debts. The medical bills and rent," Torrez said at that time.

And now she's even more amazed and overcome by the generosity.

Torrez was crossing Denker Street in the crosswalk on Nov. 12 around 10:30 p.m. when a car struck her, dragged her under the vehicle, and sped away. Witnesses told police the driver stuck a middle finger out the window as the vehicle drove off.

Torrez broke her legs, wrists, arms, back, rib cage and collar bone.

Officers with the South Traffic Division set up the GoFundMe with a goal of raising $40,000.

Police are still looking for the driver, who was in an older model black Honda. Officers also believe they have a license plate, bringing them one step closer to finding the culprit.