MILWAUKEE — An 18-year-old woman is in the hospital with life-threatening injuries after being struck by a car.
Family said the 18-year-old is Tastasia Turner, a recent graduate from the Wisconsin School for the Deaf. Turner is deaf and has Schizophrenia.
According to police, Turner was struck by a vehicle traveling eastbound on W. Silver Spring Drive while she was in the roadway. It happened on Friday, Feb. 2, just after 10:00 p.m. near Crestwood and Silver Spring Drive.
Earlier that night, Winters said Turner had an episode and went missing. Winters said she chased after her and eventually filed a police report.
"I went back out looking for her and I got a call saying there was an accident on Silver Spring. I knew it was her. I just knew it was her," Lashika William Winters, her mom, cried.
Turner's mom and neighbors in the area said she went to help a stray dog that was in the road.
"I've been begging for help for my baby because I knew she would hurt herself or someone else. I've been trying to prevent it for two years," Winters shared.
Winters said her daughter was diagnosed with Schizophrenia two years ago and has episodes several times a week.
She tells TMJ4 they've been fighting to get her adequate mental health care and want more mental health resources.
"Just because they’re not presenting the same symbols at the doctor that they do at home doesn’t mean they're okay. These are the things we're trying to prevent in our family— tragedies," Winters said.
Turner is in the hospital with serious injuries. Her family, who was at the hospital, said she will be in recovery for months.
Family shared that the 18-year-old loves to do hair and makeup, and wants to be a beautician.
"She's a very beautiful, smart, independent woman who just wants the world. Doing makeup and hair helps her get out her head and makes her happy," Angie Williams Winters, her aunt, said.
The family has created a GoFundMe to help cover the cost of her injuries.
MPD said the driver of the vehicle remained on scene and is cooperating with the investigation. This investigation is ongoing.
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