‘They’re going to reconstruct his whole face’: South Lake Union hit-and-run leaves skateboarder severely injured

Seattle police are searching for the driver of a red, newer-model Acura sedan who struck a 20-year-old skateboarder and fled the scene in South Lake Union.

The hit-and-run occurred nearly a week ago around 5:30 a.m. on Harrison Street near 8th Avenue as Jordan Brito was traveling to work.

Brito was crossing Harrison Street mid-block when the vehicle hit him, knocking him unconscious in the roadway. A bystander called 911 to request emergency assistance.

Brito was taken to Harborview Medical Center, where he remains hospitalized with 14 injuries, including brain bruising and bleeding, as well as severe facial damage requiring surgery.

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Kelly McDonald, Brito’s mother, has remained by his side at Harborview Medical Center as he recovers.

“He looks like somebody ran him over and left him to die,” McDonald said. “His memory’s not there; he can’t open his eyes. They’re going to reconstruct his whole face.”

McDonald described the toll the hit-and-run has taken on her son’s future goals while urging the driver to step forward.

“He had the six-month, one-year, five-year, 10-year plan just to have that taken away like this,” McDonald said. “Quit being a coward and come forward.”

Because Brito did not have health insurance, his sisters set up a GoFundMe campaign to assist with his rising medical expenses.

“Like a lot of 20-year-olds, he had to choose health insurance or food and pay the bills,” McDonald said.

You can donate to Brito’s recovery here.

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She noted that her son is approaching a personal milestone as he works toward recovery, and reflected on his achievements of the past.

“He has spent his life dedicated to teaching kids taekwondo,” she said. “He is weeks away from his 21st birthday.”

Brito’s injury comes amid a documented surge in patients on e-bikes and e-scooters evaluated at Harborview Medical Center.

The hospital reported treating 252 patients for e-bike and e-scooter injuries last year, resulting in six deaths, compared to 29 patients and zero deaths in 2020.

Addressing safety in the area, McDonald expressed support for expanded surveillance measures.

“I would like to see more cameras,” she said. “I know, I know people are all about privacy, but this is the world we live in.”

The Seattle Police Department is asking witnesses or anyone who captured the crash on camera to contact investigators. No arrests have been announced in the case.