Father, Richard Maldone:

On September 6th, 2023 my precious daughter, Gianna asked if she could meet up with a friend later that day. Unbeknownst to me, she was picked up by her friend on a motorcycle.

Minutes later, on her way home, she was struck by a rented, Mercedes SUV driven by three young men on vacation from Australia. He recklessly sped across three lanes smashing into the motorcycle sending her flying through the air, landing on her face on the concrete, unconscious in a pool of blood.

She received a broken cheek, broken orbital, broken nose, broken teeth, broken arm, broken jaw, brain hemorrhage, 2nd degree burns on her chest, arms and hands and was taken to Ryder Trauma center where she remained for almost one week in the burn unit, and receiving multiple CT scans daily.

Her first words in the E.R. after surgery, muffled in pain: Papa, I'm sorry.

Seeing your child with tubes down her throat surrounded by all these machines to keep alive is something a parent will never forget.

Thank, God she is still with us. Thank you to the neurosurgeons and doctors at Ryder Trauma.

Ten days later I am handed the news: unfortunately, Turo, the rental company is not liable. The driver who hit them was not the authorized driver on the contract and the paperwork provided at the crime scene was for a different vehicle.

The owner of the Mercedes SUV had no insurance! The SUV was also registered at a condominium where the owner has never lived. A private investigator did a background check and could not locate the owner.

No one has been held accountable for my child's injuries, her trauma, her medical expenses, both current, and upcoming procedures and future therapies.

We're very saddened, and with a heavy heart, I come to you with much gratitude for your help, prayers and concerns. God Bless you.

~~~

Hi :) My name is Gianna Maldone, I'm a 18 year old in Miami who started as a freshman at FIU not even a month ago.

Even though I had just started college, my education is already being put on hiatus while I recover from this crash. I'm now committed to bedrest at home, trying to recover my broken bones in my eye, nose, mouth and arm, in addition to the multiple 2nd degree burns all over my body.

Every day is filled with constant pain and agony while I slowly recover.

More than anything, I wish for someone to be held accountable, and to alleviate the strain this has put on my family and I.

Thank you for your prayers, well wishes, and donations. They are more appreciated than you know. <3

Thank you, Gia

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