Hit-and-run victim Nikki Rush passed away with her Labrador retriever, Gabby, by her side at the same Long Beach hospital where she regularly volunteered with her rescued therapy dog, her loved ones said. spoke.
Nikki, 78, of Long Beach, died on Saturday, January 4th from severe injuries sustained in a hit-and-run crash on December 26th, with the suspect still at large.
“Due to the neck and brain injuries she sustained, she was kept alive by machines, so after 10 days we followed her health care instructions,” said Nikki’s son, Chris Rush. Ta. “We let her go peacefully.”
Chris said his mother was hit in the T-bone just a few blocks from her home in the Bixby Knolls neighborhood by a driver who ran a red light.
According to a Long Beach police report, officers were dispatched to the intersection of California Avenue and San Antonio Drive around 4:45 p.m. the day after Christmas.
According to investigators, the male suspect briefly got out of the car after the accident, but quickly returned to the car and drove away.
Authorities have not released a description of the suspect, but his vehicle is described as a tan Toyota Avalon sedan. Surveillance video of the car showed significant damage to the front end.
Police said the victim, identified by her family as Nikki, refused medical treatment at the scene but was taken to a medical facility several hours after the accident.
“At that point, she was complaining of severe headaches and neck pain,” Chris said.
Chris told KTLA’s Carlos Saucedo that when Nikki’s family arrived at her, she had suffered severe head injuries and had no recollection of the crash.
The 78-year-old fell into a coma after undergoing brain surgery and was placed on life support at Long Beach Memorial, but a former co-volunteer of Nikki’s previously reported that Nikki was sent to two rescue studies in Holland and Holland. This is one of the hospitals where he was visiting patients. Gabby.
Hit-and-run victim Nikki Rush is seen holding the paw of her rescued Labrador retriever, Gabby, moments before she dies. January 2025. (Chris Rush) This undated photo shows hit-and-run victim Nikki Rush with her rescued Labrador retriever, Gabby. (Andrew Lesser) This undated photo shows hit-and-run victim Nikki Rush. (Chris Rush) This undated photo shows hit-and-run victim Nikki Rush. (Chris Rush) Hit-and-run victim Nikki Rush is seen holding the paw of her rescued Labrador retriever, Gabby, moments before she dies. January 2025. (Andrew Lesser)
“The nurses in the ICU were very kind,” said Andrew Lesser, president of Southern California Labrador Retriever Rescue (SCLRR). “They gave special permission for Nikki’s service dog Gabby to visit with her.”
Lesser said losing Nikki would be a huge blow to SCLRR, the organization she has volunteered with since 2013.
“This shouldn’t have happened,” Lesser said. “Someone has to pay for this. The guy who did this has to pay.”
Nikki’s family is appealing for witnesses to assist police with their investigation.
“We also call on those who committed this act to take responsibility for their actions and stand up for themselves,” Chris said. “They made a mistake and need to step up.”
Police are asking anyone who witnessed the crash or has information about the suspect to call Long Beach Police Detective Ashley Van Holland at 562-570-7355.
Anonymous tips can be provided to LA Regional Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or online at lacrimestoppers.org.
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