Liam Kowal, the 15-month-old son of professional fighter Marcus Kowal, was struck by a drunk driver in a hit and run accident on Saturday, September 3, at approximately 4:15 p.m. in Hawthorne, California. He was in a stroller, being pushed by his aunt, Eder’s 15-year-old sister; she was also struck by the vehicle, and received non-life-threatening leg injuries.
The police detailed what happened next, in a public message.
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
Now the fighter has reported on his social network that Liam has passed away.
I want to thank everyone who has been there for us, in all forms and shapes. Thoughts, prayers, in person – whatever. We’ve received 100s and 100s of txt messages, emails, fb messages, etc – we are blown away. Your support means the world to us.
About an hour ago, our baby was declared brain dead. He tried to fight so hard. He even died at one point but they brought him back. He’s a little fighter. His heart is still beating but his brain is no longer working.
Our hearts are broken and there’s a void in my soul but we will get through this.
Again, your support means the world and I wish we could respond to each and every one of you but right now, we are going work through this.
Funeral arrangements will be posted here.
Thank you.
RIP Liam Mikael Kowal. 5/25/2015-9/4/2016
The fighter then made an extraordinarily difficult decision.
This isn’t easy to write but Liam is going to donate his organs, so that his little heart can make another child live and another set of parents not have to go through what we have to. We were told that we can donate to someone we know. Therefore, I am writing this post to ask if there is a child out there we know that needs a heart or any other organ. It hurts to write this but Liam loved to share and the person we were going to raise him to be would love to help someone else. So anyone we know, or someone you know, inbox me please.
It hurts to write this but Liam loved to share and the person we were going to raise him to be would love to help someone else. So anyone we know, or someone you know, inbox me please.
To reach Marcus Kowal, please use his Facebook page.
A GoFundMe was set up to raise money for the family. Donations can be made to https://www.gofundme.com/2n9wr2jk.
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.
