HANAMAULU — The first thing Arayza Sabay said she remembers after leaving her house in Hanamaulu for school early on Jan. 11, is waking up in the hospital.
She said she felt sad because she was hurt and had nothing to do. With the support of her mom, dad, brother and uncle, who remained by her side throughout the ordeal, Sabay won the most harrowing battle of her life fighting a brain injury, fractured jaw and an injury to her hand. She is also struggling with vision problems.
“I would say thank you mom and dad for being there for me when I was in my scary place and thank you for just keep fighting, even though it’s hard for you guys and we just have to wait until justice is served,” Arayza Sabay said.
The now 13-year-old Hanamaulu girl was hit by a vehicle while walking to the bus stop and left unconscious on the side of the road with critical injuries.
A 59-year-old Hanamaulu man, Virgil Caday, was taken into custody and released on Jan. 20 in connection with this case. He was arrested on suspicion of first-degree negligent injury, accidents involving serious bodily injury, inattention to driving, tampering with physical evidence and tampering with a witness.
Kauai Police Department’s investigation into the matter has been completed and the final report was forwarded to the Office of the Prosecuting Attorney Monday.
Though she is happy because of support from her family, friends and the community of Kauai who has never stopped praying for her, the accident has changed her.
“Before I don’t get mad really easy but now I get mad really easy and I get irritated very easy,” she said.
One thing she said she’s learned through the ordeal is that God will always help you.
“He won’t stop until you’re all better,” she said.
As for the man who hit her and left her, Arayza Sabay said she feels very bad for him.
“Why did he left me? Like if he knowed that he did that, he doesn’t need to (leave me),” she said. “He just needs to tell the police and he should have called 9-1-1. He shouldn’t have run away.”
If she could ask him one thing, it would be “‘why?’”
“I want him to learn that not everything he can get passed for it. Like he has to go through some stuff,” she said.
Since returning home in mid-February from Oahu, Arayza Sabay hasn’t been able to go back to school yet. Her mom, Ma June Sabay, said she might be able to return on a part-time basis in the near future. She is being home schooled.
Though her injuries are healing, Arazya Sabay is attending occupational and physical therapy appointments, four per week.
In OT, she says he is working on strengthening her hand by squeezing the ball, putting pegs in a hole and playing with putty. At a recent PT session, Arayza Sabay worked with Physical Therapy Aide Rico Montana on her balance and coordination. She walked in a straight line, stepped where he pointed and completed a bean bag toss.
When she grows up, Arayza Sabay said she wants to be a neurologist.
According to the Kauai Police Department, about 7 a.m. on Jan. 11, they received a report of an injured child along Laukona Street, just south of the Ho’ohana Street junction in Hanamaulu.
First responders discovered Arayza Sabay on the side of the road and transported her to Wilcox Medical Center where she was later transported to Queens Medical Center with critical injuries.
At the time of the accident, Arayza Sabay was just 12-years-old. She celebrated her thirteenth birthday while in the hospital.
Since the accident, there’s been an overwhelming show of support from the community for Arayza Sabay and her family.
“Without their prayers and financial support, I think we can’t make it,” said Arayza’s father Raymondo Sabay.
Donations for the Sabay family can be made through a gofundme account.
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Bethany Brunelle Freudenthal, Courts, Crime and County reporter, 652-7891 or bfreudenthal@thegardenisland.com.
