Courtesy of David Thummel
David Thummel and Jessica Lesmeister with their 4-year-old son, Colton.
Tuesday, Jan. 5, 2021 | 2 a.m.
Jessica Lesmeister decided to start the new year off right by getting out for some exercise on Saturday evening.
But a leisurely stroll turned tragic when Lesmeister, who was walking along Foothills Drive with a friend, was hit by a passing car and severely injured, her fiance, David Thummel, said.
Lesmeister, 32, of Henderson suffered a head injury, multiple strokes and a broken leg, Thummel said.
A neurosurgeon warned that part of her skull might have to be removed to relieve the pressure from her swelling brain, Thummel said.
She was on a ventilator Sunday after being placed in a medically induced coma at Sunrise Hospital and Medical Center, he said.
"She had a great Christmas, was so excited and hopeful this year was going to be better," said Thummel, who shares a 4-year-old son with Lesmeister.
Thummel, a delivery driver, said he struggled to tell their son why his mother, a hairstylist, wasn’t at home.
"I told him mom had a booboo on her head and her leg was hurt and she has to stay there until it's fixed," he said.
Thummel said he rushed to the scene of the incident Saturday at Foothills and Bridle drives after receiving a frantic call from Lesmeister’s friend. His fiancee was on the ground in agony, he said.
"I tried to comfort her and tell her I was there and it was going to be OK, but she never really responded to that. She was just in pain and crying," Thummel said.
According to a Henderson Police report, Lesmeister was struck by a red Dodge Charger that left the scene.
While officers were investigating, the owner of the car arrived and reported he was in the front passenger seat and a friend was driving when the incident occurred, the report said. He said they were on their way to a party, according to the report.
Police subsequently contacted the reported driver, Ian Benjamin Acklin, 23, at his home in Henderson and arrested him on counts of DUI, failure to stop at the scene of an accident and failure to render aid, according to the report.
Thummel, meanwhile, said he has not been able to see Lesmeister at the hospital because of coronavirus restrictions.
"I've been told the only way I would be allowed in the hospital is if it comes down to life or death. Since she's not on death's doorstep, I can't go in and see her until she's released from the hospital and moved to a rehab facility," he said.
A GoFundMe page has been set up to help pay for Lesmeister’s medical expenses.
