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Family Of Tri-Athlete Struck By Car Hopes For Answers

LAUDERDALE-BY-THE-SEA - (CBS4) - The family of a tri-athlete injured when she collided with a car while riding her bike asked for the public's help Thursday.

Stephanie Goodrich slammed into the side of a car while riding her bike on A1A in Lauderdale-by-the-Sea on February 18.

She sustained a serious head injury and part of her brain was removed.

Investigators say a car was turning from A1A onto Hibiscus Avenue and the driver didn't see Stephanie.

The driver said Stephanie was blocked by another car. It appears the driver that was blocking Stephanie drove away after the accident.

Stephanie's family believes there may be witnesses who have not come forward with information.

"She's a very beautiful young lady," said her mother, Jean Goodrich. "She's a very talented young lady. She has loads of friends who love her and we need a good Samaritan."

Goodrich said her daughter recently emerged from a coma but faces a lengthy recovery. Stephanie spent a month in intensive care at Broward General Medical Center and is currently at a rehabilitation facility in Sunrise.

"(Doctors) are optimistic," she said. "She has made some advances but they say it's going to be a very long road. 

Attorney Samuel Coffey is representing Goodrich. He said the family hopes to hear from anyone who saw what happened. 

"Somebody's in a car sitting there with a perfect view, when this car cuts in front of them to come eastbound on Hibiscus, causing the accident," Coffey told CBS 4 News. "We'd love to talk to that person."

(©2011 CBS Local Media, a division of CBS Radio Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)

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