Woman speaks for first time about hit-and-run ordeal


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SALT LAKE CITY — One month after a woman was left critically injured in a hit-and-run collision on a Bountiful road, that woman spoke publicly for the first time Tuesday about the ordeal and her lengthy-but-promising recovery.

"I don't see a car light, then it hits," Nina Jacobs recalled of the crash that left her dazed, bleeding and broken late the night of July 4 near 245 S. 500 West.

Police said the driver didn't stop.

Jacobs was left with critical injuries, including to her face, her right arm and right leg — which family members said was nearly amputated during the collision.

Sighing, Jacobs described the past month as "hard" and said she would "keep trying" toward a full recovery.

Her family said she has already made remarkable progress.

"Looking at her that day, I didn't think she was going to be looking the way she is today," cousin Kristie Banks said. "The doctors are amazed how well she's doing."

(Courtesy photo: Family of Nina Jacobs)
(Courtesy photo: Family of Nina Jacobs)

Banks said Jacobs has pushed herself beyond her three daily rehabilitation sessions.

Pictures supplied by the family showed how Jacobs had gone from needing help up to essentially standing on her own power at times.

"Her leg — she can still not bear any weight on it, but they do have her up hopping on her good leg," Banks said.

Banks said doctors told the family it's possible that Jacobs could be walking in three months.

Bountiful Police Lt. Dave Edwards said detectives had gone through all surveillance video sources in the area, and could not pinpoint the car that hit Jacobs.

Anybody with information in the case has been asked to call police at 801-298-6016 or email Sgt. Troy Killian.


Looking at her that day, I didn't think she was going to be looking the way she is today. The doctors are amazed how well she's doing.

–Kristie Banks, cousin of Nina Jacobs


Banks said medical bills are piling up quickly for her cousin.

"She goes to the hospital for another surgery, you're beginning a new bill every time," Banks said. "The bills are going to be outrageous, and we don't even know if she's going to be able to go back to the home she was living in before because it's not wheelchair accessible. Is it going to meet her needs? We don't know what the future is going to hold for Nina yet."

The family set up a GoFundMe* account to help offset the medical expenses.

Banks also wants the driver who hit Jacobs caught, as her loved one fights toward recovery.

"Nobody should ever go through that in their lifetime," Banks said. "It's going to be a long road, but she's determined."

*KSL.com does not assure that the monies deposited to the account will be applied for the benefit of the persons named as beneficiaries. If you are considering a deposit to the account, you should consult your own advisors and otherwise proceed at your own risk.

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