A California teen has awakened from a coma nine months after the boy was pushed into oncoming traffic.
The family of Angel Figueroa talked to KABC in an interview, saying that after the incident last February and a resulting traumatic brain injury, the 16-year-old is now relearning simple tasks like opening his eyes and lifting his legs.
Figueroa's aunt Belki Brizuela said that he is not entirely responding or communicating with them. She added that the teen is just making little movements, giving them hope that he will come out of this.
Figueroa attacked by a group of young people for his skateboard
Figueroa, whose name cops did not release before his dad identified him as Angel Botello Hernandez to media outlet KTTV back in March, was pushed by a group of young people on February 28 into the path of a white Tesla vehicle.
According to the Hemet Police Department, Figueroa was riding his skateboard at the time on Stetson Avenue. A brief altercation then ensued, during which the boy was pushed. The report stated that the young people fled the scene following the incident and that the victim's skateboard was missing.
Brizuela said that she could not recognize him as he was so swollen. She added that his head was big and he had so many scars. He also had bruises and cuts everywhere. Brizuela can't wrap her mind around the pushing incident, asking why they did that to him.
According to Brizuela, the teen who pushed her nephew was sentenced to just six months in juvenile hall, with the three others placed on house arrest. She called the punishment "a joke and a slap on the wrist." Hemet Police did not immediately respond to PEOPLE Magazine's request for comment.
GoFundMe page created to help cover Figueroa's medical bills
Brizuela noted that Figueroa had to get a portion of his skull removed because of the brain injury he suffered. The worried aunt added that he is now in a rehabilitation facility in Orange County. She said he is starting to move the left side of his body, with movements seen in his arm, hand, and leg.
She has since launched a GoFundMe page to cover her nephew's medical bills. She said their ultimate goal is to bring Angel home and get him a van for future use. Five days after the fundraiser went live, Figueroa's family has already surpassed their $35,000 goal. As of Monday evening, they have amassed $41,567, with the money coming from 799 donations.
Brizuela has a message for parents, telling them to teach their kids that it is not fun and games. She added that it is not a joke when they go out with their friends and that for every decision they make, there are consequences.
