3 Recovering After Deadly Bushwick Hit-And-Run

BUSHWICK, NY — Three friends were recovering and a family mourning after a deadly Bushwick hit-and-run last week, as locals rallied to donate over $117,000 to support the survivors.

Hayden Wallace, 29, was killed in a Bushwick hit-and-run on Jan. 8 that also injured three of Wallace's new friends, according to police and the New York Daily News.

Wallace had just texted a friend that he was having fun with new friends when another car slammed into their Toyota Yaris near Irving Avenue and Stockholm Street.

“He had texted [his best friend] that night saying, ‘I’m having such a good time, and I met some new people,’” his aunt Kippy Perkins told the Daily News. “He hadn’t met that many people in the gay community, so he was super excited. And he said he had a great night.”

The other three people in the car survived — all noted as loving friends and "pillars" of their communities, according to a slew of GoFundMe pages that had raised over $117,000 by Thursday.

Kevin Jeffries, another occupant of the car, is still struggling to speak and move after the crash left him hospitalized — but he is conscious and responsive, loved ones said on a GoFundMe to help cover medical bills and treatment.

"His medical team is confident he will make a full recovery," wrote his best friend, Angus O'Brien.

"It has impressed and consoled Kevin’s family to see the amount of love his community has expressed for him thus far."

A third person in the car, called "Breakfast"or Brent by friends, landed in the ICU after the crash with a slew of injuries including a broken shoulder, broken ribs and pelvis, a collapsed lung and a fractured sacrum, according to their loved ones.

"The healing journey ahead is long and difficult, and in addition to medical costs, Breakfast (Brent) is a freelance artist who does construction, home building and film set building and will be out of work for at least 6 months," loved ones wrote on a GoFundMe.

"Breakfast (Brent) has been a bright light in each of our lives, and is truly one of the most kind and caring people on this planet."

Kiwi, another occupant of the car, was in stable condition and "on the mend" after the January crash, but quickly racking up healthcare charges. A staple of New York City's queer community, Kiwi has affected many people with his positive attitude, his loved ones said.

"As many of us know Kiwi is a pillar of the New York queer community. His light shines bright on every dance floor and his zest for life has touched many of our hearts and changed our lives," according to the GoFundMe.

A Kia Sportage SUV traveling was southbound on Irving Avenue about 12:40 a.m. on Jan. 8 when it collided with a Toyota Yaris traveling eastbound on Stockholm Street, according to the NYPD.

The crash launched the Toyota Yaris into three parked and unoccupied cars —and when the Kia came to a stop, its driver and passengers ran, police said.

The group in the Toyota Yaris was on their way to drop Wallace at his apartment, just a half mile away from the scene of the crash, according to the Daily News.

Police took one driver into custody and were still searching for another after the Jan. 8 crash, according to the NYPD.