Pregnant victim in Ypsilanti Township hit & run recovers as boyfriend 'fighting for his life'
Tanesha Bush arrived at an Ypsilanti Township bus stop June 3 with her boyfriend, Christian Jimenez, and glanced down at her phone. The digital clock read 2:58 p.m., but the bus was nowhere in sight.
With a couple minutes to spare before her commute to work at a Washtenaw Avenue Subway restaurant, she turned her attention back to the screen and started texting a friend.
Jimenez stood a couple feet away with his own eyes trained on a phone, texting his manager from work. The 25-year-old Ypsilanti Township man was recently offered a second job at an Ann Arbor retail shop and was excited he would soon have added income to support Bush, who is 5 months pregnant with the couple’s daughter.
Those memories are the last Bush can recall of that afternoon before she looked up and saw a car on Huron River Drive heading toward the sidewalk where the couple stood. The resulting collision left the couple seriously injured and the driver facing possible felony charges.
Family photo
“I kept telling her that I was pregnant and then more people came. A lady came and let me put my leg on her lap,” Bush, 24, recalled this week.
She looked over and saw Jimenez several feet away, not moving. She urged people arriving to tend to him, not her. How serious were his injuries, she wondered. And what had happened?
More than a week later, Bush now sits at home with a cast on her right leg, after suffering a broken shin in the accident. Jimenez remains in the hospital, and the women police say is responsible for the accident, Kimberly Sue Burke, 21, of Belleville, faces negligent driving charges. A preliminary hearing is scheduled on Tuesday.
Ultrasounds found her baby girl safe and healthy, and she will see a doctor weekly for new casts to help her leg heal, Bush said. But Jimenez’ road to recovery will be much longer, his father, Israel Perez said.
Christian Jiminez
“He’s a strong kid, but it’s a lot,” said Perez, who remained at the hospital all week, after a 10-hour drive June 4 from his home in New Jersey.
“My son is in there struggling for his life. He is going to live, hopefully, God willing, but he’ll never be the same.”
Police arrested Burke as she walked along Superior Road shortly after the crash. Officers uncovered her damaged car in the woods nearby.
Ypsilanti police Det. Sgt. Troy Fulton said Burke’s 2002 Ford Taurus veered off the road at 3 p.m. that day in the 1300 block of Huron River Drive, right outside the bus stop where Bush and Christenson stood alone. Her car struck both of them, along with several mailboxes, street signs and a brick wall.
Burke was first lodged in the Washtenaw County Jail on suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Magistrate Mark Nelson arraigned her June 5 on two counts of failing to stop at an accident resulting in an injury. But a $5,000 bond deal offered to Burke with a right to post 10 percent allowed her to pay $500 and be out of jail the same afternoon.
Perez is angered Burke walks free as his son remains sedated in a hospital bed. Bush says she, too, can’t understand how a judge could release the woman police are holding responsible for the crash.
“It doesn’t make sense to me,” Bush said. “She could have potentially killed two people and a baby.”
In the days immediately following the accident, Perez said family did what they could to keep Bush from seeing her boyfriend in a hospital room, his face swollen and disfigured. They didn’t want her to have further damaging memories. But she found a way in. She had to.
Jimenez lay there with a tube in his mouth, his communication restricted to a few strained words.
“It was emotional,” Bush said. “They have to sedate him because he gets irritated and really frustrated because he doesn’t like to be restrained.”
Just three days before the accident, the couple had moved into an apartment complex across the street from the bus stop. After falling upon hard times last year, it was their first apartment together in months. They had celebrated the independence. Bush now is leaning on family through recovery, and much of the future remains uncertain with months of rehabilitation ahead of Jimenez.
Perez said doctors won’t know until his son is fully awake whether Jimenez has brain damage or significant memory loss.
Tanesha Bush
“I’ve never felt the baby kick and move as much as I have the last four days,” Bush said. “I’m very happy that we’re both recovering and that nothing happened to the baby and that he’s recovering— day by day he’s getting better.”
Bush still awaits the day when she’ll be able to fully talk with Jimenez about the tragic experience. She's still reliving it.
“When I closed my eyes, I would just see the car coming at me,” she said. “With me knowing there was nothing I could do, it’s just hard because that was just the last thing that I’m going to remember.”
Perez said he’s doing all he can to make sure justice is done in light of his son’s injuries. He’s writing letters to social service organizations to call attention to the case and plans to follow it in the courts.
Perez remains at his son’s bedside, answering the hard questions, trying to help him understand what happened.
“He closes his eyes hoping that when he wakes up, he’ll go back to the life that was taken from him. That’s kind of hard on a father,” Perez said.
“I just don’t want this to happen again.”
Heidi Fenton covers Police and courts for AnnArbor.com. Reach her at heidifenton@annarbor.com or 734-623-4673. You also can follow her on Twitter or subscribe to AnnArbor.com's e-mail newsletters.
Comments
Lee Higgins
Mon, Jun 13, 2011 : 6:02 p.m.
Here's one of our previous stories on the case: <a href="http://ww.annarbor.com/news/crime/woman-accused-in-hit-and-run-in-ypsilanti-posts-bond/">http://ww.annarbor.com/news/crime/woman-accused-in-hit-and-run-in-ypsilanti-posts-bond/</a>
Spencer Thomas
Mon, Jun 13, 2011 : 5:17 p.m.
My brother was a victim of a hit-and-run 26 years ago. He remembers flying through the air and saying, in his head, "I'm coming to join you" to a friend who was killed a few weeks earlier in a similar accident. He lived, suffering a severely broken leg. The driver was not found. It wasn't until 10 years later that the driver was turned in by his ex-wife after (or during, I'm not sure) their divorce. The only "justice" that my brother received was a monetary payout from the driver's insurance company (which was certainly welcome.) He wrote a poem about it, titled "Pain". When he landed in the snow by the side of the road, and felt the pain, he was glad of it, because it meant he was still alive. My heart goes out to this young couple, who were gaining so much, and then had so much taken from them in an instant.
Steve Pepple
Mon, Jun 13, 2011 : 12:01 p.m.
A comment that contained unsubstantiated allegations against the accused driver has been removed. You are free to question the amount of the bond in the case and the reasons behind it, but remember the driver has not been convicted of any crime at this point; she is merely accused.
dana
Mon, Jun 13, 2011 : 3:09 a.m.
think about where your at and where you live
Grimey
Mon, Jun 13, 2011 : 2:10 a.m.
According to other news sources, the driver Kimberly Burke hide her and and changed her clothes after the accident. A2dotcom has not reported that she changed her clothes. Is this a fact, A2dotcom? I think it's important to the story if it's true....
Monica R-W
Mon, Jun 13, 2011 : 2:31 a.m.
Grimey, agree....another important fact, if true, that was left out in this story. WDIV reported that she hind the car and then, changed her clothes in a attempt to hide after mowing down three innocent victims, with the vehicle. Knowing this....there is NO WAY she should have received a $5000/10% bond, period. Also, A2.com has yet to update this story....or write another one at least, with the suspect picture! Anytime, A2.com....anytime....
Grimey
Mon, Jun 13, 2011 : 2:12 a.m.
Oops, i meant "...hid her car and changed her clothes..." My typos.
RJA
Mon, Jun 13, 2011 : 12:10 a.m.
This story is so SAD! The couple and un-born baby will be in my thoughts and prayers for complete recovery. God Bless the father that is here to be with his son.
kcam213
Sun, Jun 12, 2011 : 11:06 p.m.
I pray that the victims continue to mend from this terrible event. I can't see the comments that have been deleted by annarbor.com but if anyone is defending the driver... just think, this could have been ANYONE standing at that bus stop... you, me, or God forbid... one of our children. I am so tired of people driving without regard to others. Even if it was a legitimate accident... she left the scene intentionally and with the forethought to attempt to conceal her damaged car and even change her clothes in an attempt to avoid taking responsibility. Her first thoughts should have been to the injured parties. And Detroit.com posted the accused name and her photograph. It is a good thing there are alternative news sources.
kcam213
Sun, Jun 12, 2011 : 11:01 p.m.
@ C.S. Gass I guess sarcasm isn't easily communicated online. I get what you are saying. He is commenting on the lunacy of a hit and run driver not being charged with similar charges of someone accused of possession small amount of weed. Risking the loss of human life is not as serious as recreational drug... no PLANT use.? ;-)
pbehjatnia
Mon, Jun 13, 2011 : 4:57 a.m.
I get what Gass is saying. It is, however, inappropriate. I question just who is the dimwit is we have put on the bench......
C. S. Gass
Sun, Jun 12, 2011 : 9:27 p.m.
Tonisha and Christian, may God help you heal and be whole again. And everyone needs to put Burke's lack of jail time in the 'proper' perspective. It's not like she committed the unholy act of dealing a dime bag of weed, she merely (allegedly) drove drunk and hit a couple of people. The jails are only for people who are a danger to 'society' not to individual citizens. Where did you people get your indoctrination, er, I mean education...
porchbear
Mon, Jun 13, 2011 : 10:24 p.m.
pbehjatnia & justbehappy27 - have you ever heard of sarcasm?
justbehappy27
Sun, Jun 12, 2011 : 10:29 p.m.
Are you serious?? or are you one of those people who just sit at home and say whatever behind a screen name??
pbehjatnia
Sun, Jun 12, 2011 : 9:49 p.m.
Tanesha is the name. If you are going to be a jerk, then get it right. If you truly think that hitting three people (yes, the baby counts as a third) with your car is not a big deal you are one sick puppy. Ms. Burke hit them and drove away and tried to hide her damaged car. She was aware of her actions and tried to cover her tracks. She did not stop and call 911 or try to help her victims. She selfishly drove off and thought of herself first. If you were trying to make a point by being flippant then you failed. There is nothing here to be flippant about. Guess you need to go buy a dime bag as you see to feel that is such a harmless act.
andralisa
Sun, Jun 12, 2011 : 6:11 p.m.
Why is this woman ? I just do not understand this at all!
justbehappy27
Sun, Jun 12, 2011 : 5:31 p.m.
Monica- R-W They have been running this story since the day it happened. The drivers photo is out there. Here is the picture of the suspect go to this website.<a href="http://www.clickondetroit.com/news/28174604/detail.html" rel='nofollow'>http://www.clickondetroit.com/news/28174604/detail.html</a> I
Monica R-W
Sun, Jun 12, 2011 : 6:17 p.m.
JustbeHappy27, thanks for the link to the Click on Detroit News story. As A2.com being a hyper-local media resource, it would have been the responsible thing to do also, for them to write albeit, separate story on the suspect also. Guess that was too much to ask, which is why my initial comment was deleted!
CaiBrayMama
Sun, Jun 12, 2011 : 5:09 p.m.
"The resulting collision left the couple seriously injured and the driver facing possible felony charges." Possible felony charges? Could she really not end up with a felony after a very serious hit and run?
Monica R-W
Sun, Jun 12, 2011 : 4:28 p.m.
I would like my comment back at 7:47AM! It did not name either the suspect or the victims names and that was clearly noted in the article. It did as with comment Bill at 8:12 AM, question the race factor, what was the judge thinking to release this suspect on a 5000/10% bond (Noted in JustBeHappy27 comment at 8:09 AM) on a possible DWI and failure to stop at the scene of an accident, confirming (as written in the article) that it will take months, if the years of recovery, for one of the victims and months of recovery for the other. So WHY was the comment removed again. Ann Arbor.com version of censorship is getting ridiculous. Guess that is why the domain name has yet to be renewed. Both Tanesha and Christian are in my prayers also and God is a wonderful to ensure that the baby is OK following the accident. Let's see if this comment gets removed too....
d_a2
Mon, Jun 13, 2011 : 5:16 a.m.
and he is correct. there was an article the day after this even occurred you just missed it.
d_a2
Mon, Jun 13, 2011 : 5:14 a.m.
@monica you're sadly mistaken in this case. I've had several debates via email with the editor of this "news site" where suspects race was listed when the suspect was white and left out when the suspect(s) were black.
Monica R-W
Sun, Jun 12, 2011 : 6:10 p.m.
So, PEST, today it is not about race but when the sad incident of the gentlemen who was murdered in his yard in West Willow happened, a picture of the suspect was RIGHTFULLY shown, along with a separate article about the victim. But, it this case.....no picture of Ms. Burke. No Facebook link to Ms. Burke page (if she has one). No one from Ms. Burke's family has either been contacted to say "No comment" or her attorney (which she more likely than NOT had one) issuing a statement. Nothing, nada....niche. By the way, the statement "the RACE CARD" is worn out. We have numerous ethnic classifications and races in the U.S.. and with such, questions like this are unavoidable. Society does make judgments, for the most part, based on a persons' ethnic or racial background. The "Race Card' is everyday life... so let's not use that old statement "fallback" that needs to be buried. Yes, this is the first time I heard about this story. PEST, since your read it before on this news resource, do you have a link? If not, your point is.... As for being "harmed" as you say....I would say the actual persons' harmed in this case are the victims, including this young man that will have months of rehabilitation to face, the soon-to-be mother of his child and their individual families. The victims' Father drove 10 hours from NJ to be with his son. Of course, he would do this....but, you mean to tell me he has not been "harmed" also. Meanwhile, the suspect is out and her identity is unknown to the public. We don't even know if she has any driving restrictions, at the very least..... PEST your debate in this case is not working, sorry!
pest
Sun, Jun 12, 2011 : 5:53 p.m.
I read about the accident the day after it happened. Before and again after the suspect was caught. If this is the first time you're heard about this incident, then you weren't looking very hard. STOP making this about race. It was a tragic accident that should have and could have been avoidable. People who continue to use the race card make me want to puke. You know what it does? It harms those that actually suffer from true racism.
Monica R-W
Sun, Jun 12, 2011 : 5:15 p.m.
PEST, the race is a FACTOR of both the victims and the suspect. It is amazing to me on incidents like this, race is all of a sudden "not a factor" but if something happens in certain communities in Ypsilanti Township, races is all over the story and, is indeed a factor. There is a reason that a picture of the suspect is not right along with this story or a follow up story. Why? I have seen many pictures of other suspects on Ann Arbor.com stories. This is the first time I have even heard about the accident and/or the incident. Why? Again, the families of the victim either A) went to Ann Arbor.com in hopes that public outcry would raise a question the ridiculous low bond in this case and B)to tell the victims stories. If necessary, a separate article could have been written, naming the suspect and showing her face. Either way, this is public information and the public has a right to know. She is out of jail on bail....hopefully not driving but, out on the streets....after darn near mowing down two innocent victims and a unborn child. Yes, the public deserves to know her identity. So, why is it not located anywhere on one, of the main resources for news in Ann Arbor (a2.COM). Why did the victims family have to go to the media to have this story told, i assume? The accident happened on JUNE 3rd.....today is JUNE 12th.....come on! How long has the suspect been out of jail and does she have restrictions on her driving as a condition of her bond? If not, why? That is what is called journalism.
pest
Sun, Jun 12, 2011 : 4:41 p.m.
Sorry Monica - but the race card is ridiculous. Most people are sick of it being used. IF you have a problem with the bond amount - that is a completely separate issue that the issue of race. With 5 minutes of research I found other crimes similar in nature (or worse) with equivalent bond amounts, including on for arson and bank robbery. Do you know what race the prosecutor was? The judge? The accused? Does it really matter? What DOES matter is that justice will be served - Burke will HAVE to appear in court and face the charges that will be brought against her. What DOES matter is the life of the victims and that they get the love and support from family and friends to help them through this time.
Lola
Sun, Jun 12, 2011 : 3:43 p.m.
I cannot imagine how terrified Tanesha was for their baby until it was determined at the hospital that the fetus was ok. I'm glad Mom is alright and escaped serious injury. My thoughts go out to Christian and his family and I hope he has a full recovery as well. I agree with LaMusica that a $5,000 bond is ridiculous for someone who plowed down 2 people and then drove away.
porchbear
Sun, Jun 12, 2011 : 2:10 p.m.
Tanesha and Christian, you sound like two very hardworking young adults and I'm so sorry this happened to you. I wish you both speedy and complete recoveries, a healthy baby girl, and last but not least - justice!
LaMusica
Sun, Jun 12, 2011 : 1:26 p.m.
First and foremost, Tanesha and Christian my thoughts and prayers are with you and your baby as you all recover from this. That being said, what was Mark Nelson THINKING??? This involved a driver who was possibly DWI, serious life threatening injuries were sustained, and not only was it a hit and run, but from the way the article reads, the driver HID HER CAR. Went OUT OF HER WAY to hide it IN THE WOODS! And her bond was $5000?????? Disgusting. I am appalled.
Terrin
Sun, Jun 12, 2011 : 1:47 p.m.
Don't blame the magistrate. It is the prosecution's job to ask the magistrate what actions to take. There isn't enough information in the story to make serious conclusions.
pest
Sun, Jun 12, 2011 : 1:24 p.m.
Please, let's not make this into a race issue. My prayers go out to Tanesha and Christian. This is a horrible tragedy that never should have happened and I pray for their continued recovery and give thanks that both are alive, along with their unborn child. And a lot goes into the consideration with the posting of a bond - flight risk, severity of the charges as well as other things. The bond is not $500, but $5000. If she skips or doesn't show up to court, she will be responsible to pay the full $5000, from my understanding. It is not unusual to only "pay" 10% of the bond amount, sometimes with some sort of collateral.
Joy Denton
Sun, Jun 12, 2011 : 1:07 p.m.
I was struck by a car in 1967 and both legs were broken. One thing is sure not only physical but emotional damage occurs. Post-traumatic Stress Disorder is still a problem to this day. I deal with pain daily. Whether the driver was drunk or not, the fact that she callously attempted to leave the scene of the accident shows no mercy should be given to her by the courts. The lives of the victims will never be the same unfortunately. One can only hope the couple's child will bring them comfort and joy in the coming weeks as they attempt to heal physically, emotionally and spiritually. The legal system exists to provide justice for all and one can only hope that the family will see justice as their case moves through the court system.
justbehappy27
Sun, Jun 12, 2011 : 1:22 p.m.
Joy, I agree with your post. Being the first person on the scene like you said it can be emotionally damaging. Watching this happen right in front of me has affected me. I have thought about it constantly since the day it occured.
Ricebrnr
Sun, Jun 12, 2011 : 12:49 p.m.
Again vehicles are involved in more fatalities daily/yearly thanbany other cause by far. Many of those are stories just like this. When are we going to treat drunk drivers like we treat the rampage shooters? How is what Mr Jimenez is going through any different than Mrs Gifford? Condolences to the victims and utmost wishes for a speedy and full recovery. Take away for the rest of us is stay aware and pay attention, threats come no matter where and when you are.
Ricebrnr
Mon, Jun 13, 2011 : 11:02 a.m.
Random assaults with deadly weapons and the disparity in treatment is absolutely germaine to these types of stories. Though you may not agree apparently the AA staff and 7 others do.
d_a2
Mon, Jun 13, 2011 : 2:37 a.m.
nobody said you didn't but gun crimes have ABSOLUTELY zero to do with this story.
Ricebrnr
Mon, Jun 13, 2011 : 2:23 a.m.
Wow cynical much? Not like I rant about drunks and driving ever...nope no history there...
d_a2
Mon, Jun 13, 2011 : 2:06 a.m.
he's just somehow trying to relate it to gun crimes....as always....
Ricebrnr
Sun, Jun 12, 2011 : 1:58 p.m.
Craig, you are correct. I should have specified non illness/accidental deaths where vehicles have reigned supreme for years.
Craig Lounsbury
Sun, Jun 12, 2011 : 1:19 p.m.
"Again vehicles are involved in more fatalities daily/yearly thanbany other cause by far." you need to clarify what you mean. As causes of fatalities accidents rank #5 in America for causes of death. And among accidents vehicles are the cause of about 26% of those.
justbehappy27
Sun, Jun 12, 2011 : 12:09 p.m.
Tanesha& Chrisitian-- You are both in my prayers. I was the first person on the scene and I was absolutely terrifed. I was shock seeing that car plow right into the 2 vicitims. I just don't understand how a car can hit 2 people and drive off like nothing happened. I find that very sick and disturbing.500 bond?? I have seen many cases where a person is charged with a serious crime and let out on small bond. I don't agree with that at all. I would assume a person that left the scene as a possible flight risk. It's a really sad situation. I have not stop thinking about this since the day it happened. It's a really sad situation. Life can change in a split second. Let's pray that justice is served in this case.