The athlete’s son, Liam Mikael Kowal, was being pushed in a stroller through a crosswalk by his teenage aunt in Hawthorne when they were struck by a 72-year-old woman, according to police.
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The child is son to Marcus Kowal, a champion MMA fighter and the victor of numerous world titles.
A GoFundMe page has been set up in Liam’s memory, with all money going towards paying for the medical expenses for both Liam and the girl, and the funeral cost.
Authorities arrested Donna Marie Higgins, 72, on suspicion of felony hit-and-run and felony drunk driving.
Fifteen-month-old Liam Kowal was pronounced brain dead Sunday after an alleged drunken driver crashed into the baby and his teenage aunt. If you have been to one of our fights chances are you know Marcus Kowal.
Despite being rushed to hospital, the toddler was declared brain dead and later died. “His heart is still beating but his brain is no longer working”, he wrote in an emotional Facebook post. I know Marcus and Mishel were giving their all to building a legacy business for their little family and they have impacted countless lives through their work. Liam’s organs will be donated because his family said he loved to share and bring joy to everyone.
Marcus Kowal, a California mixed martial artist who has worked with celebrities, posted a heart wrenching note on Facebook as well-wishes flooded in.
His body is being kepy alive in preparation for organ donation, Liam’s father Marcus Kowal said.
The alleged driver, 72-year-old Donna Higgins, initially fled the scene, but was arrested after onlookers used their vehicles to block her auto.
They boxed her in until police arrived, Hawthorne police Lt. Ti Goetz said. Liam was transported to Harbor UCLA Medical Center where he later succumbed to his injuries.
“It’s only one person’s fault”, said Kowal.
Kowal wrote that they will donate Liam’s organs so that his “little heart can make another child live and another set of parents not have to go through what we have to”.
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Higgins allegedly fled the scene and was arrested on hit-and-run and DUI charges, the release stated. She was held at the Hawthorne jail on $100,000 bail. “No parent should have to put their child into the ground”, writes Kowal.
