MADERA – The 15-year-old Madera South High School girl who was the victim of a devastating 'hit n run' while she was walking in a crosswalk on June 14th has retained a Los Angeles law firm to represent her against the man who left her for dead after running her over on Olive Avenue in Madera.
According to the Madera Police Department, former boxer and owner of VFF (Valley Family Fitness) In-Home Fitness, Paul Cano (27) of Fresno failed to remain at the scene and render aid to the young lady or notify police of the accident after he struck the young lady with his 2016 Hyundai Elantra.
It took Madera Police almost a week of investigation to track down the driver at his place of business in Fresno, where he was arrested after giving police conflicting statements. He was booked into the Madera County Department of Corrections where he was allowed to bail out just hours later.
The night of the hit-n-run Cano was leaving the home of local realtor and member of the City of Madera's Planning Commission, Alex Salazar. The suspect drove from the Westberry area of Madera traveling east on Howard Road to Olive Avenue. His path was well documented from surveillance video which included the entire collision with the child at the intersection near Chase’s Chop Shop (Gus's Food Locker). Since the accident, Salazar has been very supportive of Cano and VFF posting over 20 advertisements on his Facebook page for both of the suspect's businesses, VFF and Big Brother Boxing.
While Salazar did not answer our question about whether he knew about the ‘hit n run’ that night or if Cano had been drinking at the realtor’s home before running over the girl, he did say this, “How do you know he ran? From what was reported the evening of the incident? Did you see the video evidence yourself or what was reported in the news? I believe, as you know both the media and the police only know what they have in front of them until they are able to interview all parties. There is a side of every story, right? I know you don’t believe the media all the time either.”
The suspect’s vehicle was located at his place of employment in the 3000 block of North Blackstone Avenue in Fresno. The vehicle had damage to the left front headlight and was missing the driver side mirror, police said. His vehicle was impounded as evidence. Cano has been unavailable for an interview since the incident.
The victim sustained multiple bodily fractures, possible brain damage, and may lose the use of her arm. "We will work hand-in-hand with the police department, the district attorney and our in-house private investigators to ensure this process is seamless and fast for the family, as they are in a very sensitive place," said Edward Ramsey of Los Angeles City Law, who is representing the Aguilar family. "The Aguilar family and their beautiful daughter deserve the best representation in California, and I'm glad they picked my firm because we have an unprecedented record in compensating similar accident victims and their future medical care."
Cano has garnered some notoriety when his boxing career turned professional in 2011 with his signing under noted manager and boxing hype man Repo Ric. Cano made his professional debut in a four-round welterweight bout on the 2011 Telefutura Solo Boxeo undercard in Woodland, California.
Members of the community have started a support account on behalf of the family to help with medical expenses not covered by insurance.
