SAN DIEGO (KGTV) — A ride on an electric scooter in Pacific Beach ended in a life-altering crash for an actor and Marine veteran.
Houston Teamer's pain is a constant reminder of the ride scooter he wishes he could forget.
"What started as a good day ended in my worst nightmare," said the 27-year-old Teamer.
On Jan. 20 at about 4:30 p.m., the Marine veteran was on a scooter headed to a restaurant to meet his girlfriend. He says he was in the bike lane headed east on Grand Avenue just before Cass Street.
"I see a champagne, silverish car in my left periphery .. then it hit the side of me, the side of my Bird scooter," said Teamer.
Teamer says he went flying, face-first into the pavement.
"I tasted blood, and I could feel teeth falling out of my mouth ... just kind of prayed and hoped I was going to make it through," said Teamer.
He fell unconscious and woke up in the hospital after a Good Samaritan called 911. He suffered a concussion, broken bones in his eye sockets, nose and cheekbones. He broke his jaw in three different places. Surgeons inserted three permanent metal plates in his face.
"Emotionally it almost destroyed me, but my family was here to support me," said Teamer.
Bystanders tell 10News the car that struck him didn't stick around. It's hard for Teamer to accept.
"Having served, I'm the kind of guy who would lay down my life for somebody else. I don't understand how somebody could hit somebody ... and know that person's not moving in the rear view mirror, and not stop ... not even care," said Teamer.
Teamer is grateful he's alive but fearful of what's next. Four years ago, he moved to Los Angeles and began pursuing acting, eventually booking national television commercials and print ads. Now he's worried his acting dreams may be over.
"I can't move the right side of my face like I did before. I don't have the same expressions," said Teamer.
He's hoping witnesses will come forward to find the driver responsible.
"It's the justice aspect. It's inhumane. Just to bring some humanity back to the whole situation," said Teamer.
He's also hoping to send a message about safety. He wasn't wearing a helmet.
"Anyone who gets on a scooter should have a helmet. Doesn't matter the age. I was lucky my head injuries weren't even more severe," said Teamer.
If you have any information on the case, call San Diego Police at 619-531-2000. A Gofundme campaign has been set up for Teamer to help with expenses.
