Angel Figueroa: Hemet teen pushed into traffic while skateboarding wakes up from coma after 9 months

According to the teen's family, Figueroa was pushed by three or four children who were trying to rob his skateboard

PUBLISHED NOV 24, 2022

Angel Figueroa is relearning simple tasks such as moving his arm or lifting his leg upon gaining consciousness (Screenshot from ABC7)

HEMET, CALIFORNIA: A Hemet teen who was struck by a car after being pushed into oncoming traffic has finally woken up from coma. Angel Figueroa, who turned 16 in September, is relearning simple tasks such as moving his arm or lifting his leg upon gaining consciousness.

According to the teen's family, Figueroa woke up nearly nine months after suffering a traumatic brain injury. "Angel was jumped by three to four kids over ... they were trying to rob him for his skateboard," said Belki Brizuela, the victim's aunt, as per ABC7. Figueroa was reportedly skateboarding near his home on Stetson Avenue and Seven Hills Drive when the incident took place.

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The family of Angel Figueroa said the teen was hospitalized for months and was in the ICU after doctors had to remove a portion of his skull. Now, he's finally awake, but has a long road to recovery ahead. https://t.co/7Cmi8mAESj
— ABC7 Eyewitness News (@ABC7) November 24, 2022

The aunt also confirmed that Figueroa spent months in the intensive care unit after a portion of his skull was removed. The teen later moved to a rehabilitation facility in Orange County to get familiar with what was a new normal for both him and his family.

"He is starting to move his left side of his body more like this arm, his hand and his leg," said Brizuela, as per the outlet. The family is taking this as a promising sign that he is making slow progress. "Not quite responding or communicating with us but just moving little movements give us a sign of hope you know," she continued, as reported by NBC. "There's hope that he's going to come out of this."

'He is starting to move his left side of his body more like this arm, his hand and his leg,' said Brizuela, Angel's aunt (Screenshot from ABC7)

While the family is emotionally distraught, they are also struggling financially. Figueroa's aunt and mother travel two hours every day to be at his side. Moreover, the medical bills are piling up. In search of some relief from the financial stress, Brizuela created a GoFundMe to help her sister pay bills and help with Angel's future necessities.

"Our goal is to bring Angel home, of course, and the next thing is get a van for him, so we are trying to save up money for that," she said. "Teach your kids, like, it is not fun and games, you know? It's not a joke when you go out with your friends. Every decision you make there are consequences."

Brizuela confirmed that three out of the four other teens involved in the armed robbery are under house arrest while the one who pushed Figueroa was sentenced to six months in juvenile jail.