UPDATE: As of February 13, the GoFundMe campaign closed with more than $100,000 in donations raised.

As authorities continue searching for a vehicle in connection to a hit and run investigation, the family of the victim has turned to the community for aid in his recovery.

Family members of a 15-year-old East Chapel Hill High School student recently revealed him to be the person injured in a December collision. To cover ongoing medical bills, a user on GoFundMe created a campaign asking for financial support. The post, which was created on Monday, says the students “suffered a broken leg and severe brain swelling” after being struck by a driver while riding his bicycle home from the town’s skate park. The creator describes the minor’s condition as stable, but “unresponsive and unable to speak or move.”

Chapel Hill Police report on the night of December 17, a bicyclist was struck by a vehicle in the area of Homestead Road near Aquatic Drive. The department has since released details on a vehicle connected to its ongoing investigation: a blue 2006-2011 model Chevrolet HHR. Police did not share any information on the victim beyond their transportation to UNC Hospitals for treatment.

Since the campaign launched this week, the greater Chapel Hill community has responded with financial aid. As of Wednesday, GoFundMe reports more than $12,000 has been raised by 190 donors.

Chapel Hill Police say information that leads to an arrest to the motorist in their investigation may be eligible for a reward up to $2,000 dollars.

Editor’s Note: The Chapelboro news team has a policy restricting the use of minors’ names in stories without explicit family permission.

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