The Hawthorne, California Police Department has reported that the infant son of professional fighter Marcus Kowal is in Intensive Care, after being hit by a drunk driver in a hit and run accident.
On September 3rd, 2016 at approximately 4:15 pm, Hawthorne Police Department officers were dispatch to the intersection of 133rd street and Hawthorne Blvd in regards to a vehicle verse pedestrian traffic collision. Hawthorne Patrol Officers responded to the scene where they located two injured juveniles lying in the street near the crosswalk. One of the victims, a 15 year old female, was suffering from what appeared to be leg injuries while a second victim, a 15 month old baby still in its baby stroller, was found pulseless and not breathing. Officers administered CPR to the critically injured baby while awaiting the arrival of LA Count Fire rescue units. Arriving rescue personnel took over the treatment of both victims and transported them to Harbor UCLA Medical Center. The 15 year old female is reported to be in stable condition while the baby is in ICU.
The Hawthorne Police Department Traffic Bureau responded to the scene to conduct its investigation. During the course of the investigation it was determined that the 15 year old female was pushing a baby stroller inside the crosswalk when a SUV, driven by a 72 year old female later identified as Donna Marie Higgins, drove through the crosswalk striking both victims. The driver of the SUV then fled the scene northbound followed by witnesses to the crash. The witnesses followed Higgins for about a block before they were able to block Higgins’ vehicle with their own cars until police arrived on scene.
As part of our standard protocol in a crash of this nature, field sobriety tests were administered to Higgins. Following the investigation, it was determined that Higgins was driving a vehicle while intoxicated and she was placed under arrest for felony hit and run as well as felony drunk driving. Higgins was booked into Hawthorne jail on the above charges with a $100,000 bail.
Anyone with any knowledge of the accident should contact Lieutenant Ti Goetz – 310.349.2701
The Swedish-born Kowal has professional experience as a kickboxer, boxer, and mixed martial arts fighter. He is the owner of and lead MMA training instructor at Systems Training Center, with locations in Encino and Westwood. He is also the Host and MMA specialist for StudioMMA and MMANytt.
