Crime & Safety

Hit and Run Victim Recovering at Carmichael Home

Gemily West thankful for community support.

After surviving a in Carmichael one week ago, Gemily West is thankful.

West, 23, was walking her four dogs with her boyfriend Harison Long-Randall, 21, on July 16 when they were struck by a motorist on Garfield Avenue at Engle Road.

On Tuesday, at her home just down the street from the intersection. She is in a wheelchair and has visible scars and wounds on her legs.

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Long-Randall remains in the hospital. The couple's dogs did not survive the crash.

But community members have sent an outpouring of love and support for them, in a makeshift memorial on an electrical pole near the intersection, in home visits, phone calls, cards and emails. West and her family have responded in kind with signs thanking the community and first responders.

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"I'm doing pretty good, getting better but some days it relapses," West said, clutching a stuffed dog toy. "It has made me have tears of joy that everyone has come together to be there for me."

The memorial has flowers, a cross and dog bones. One sign reads "Thank you for all the well wishes and prayers. We truly appreciate it. Love West's and Randall's." Under that another sign reads "R.I.P. Zury Winry Evie Bindie" in honor of the four canines.

In front of the West household are signs thanking the community, first responders, neighbors and officers with the California Highway Patrol and law enforcement.

Before the incident, West was maintaining the property, working at home with a sister to make costumes including those for mascots. She is a 2007 graduate of and studied at .

"I still find it unbelievable how our life was shattered," West said, fighting back tears. "But we're going to start a new life and get new dogs."

Trevor West, Gemily's brother, said speeding on Garfield Avenue is far too common. The posted speed limit is 35 mph but West said cars appear to go twice as fast. Gemily West said other motorists have tailgated her as she drives down the street.

Meanwhile, , 31, remains in jail on no bail after he appeared in court Monday. Relatives of West and Long-Randall visited the courtroom.

"He didn't plea in court on Monday, his next appearance is Wednesday (at 8:30 a.m.) so we'll see if anything happens," Trevor West said. "He didn't face us, he showed no remorse and he's just a coward."

"We're happy he's been caught and will have to face the consequences," he said.

Funds have been opened for Gemily and Harison, through both The Sacramento Bee and Paypal at longrandallwestfund@gmail.com. There is also a Facebook page "Support for Gamily West and Harison Randall" that as of Tuesday night had 885 likes.

"Bless everyone's hearts," Gemily West said. "There's still more good than evil out there."

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Please share your well wishes for Gemily and Harison in a comment below.

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