More than a month after surviving an attempted carjacking in Tijuana, Cassandra Light, a Mission Beach resident, is continuing her recovery while facing mounting financial challenges stemming from the attack.
Light was returning from Rosarito with her dog, Ellie, in mid-June when, according to her account, a pickup truck cornered in her vehicle near a highway entrance in Tijuana. She said a masked gunman confronted her before opening fire.
Shot while trying to escape
Light stated one bullet traveled through the driver’s side window and exited through the passenger door, while a second struck her leg, shattering both her tibia and fibula before exiting through her ankle.
She was thrown from the vehicle but initially felt little pain because of the adrenaline. Her biggest concern at the time, she recalled, was making sure Ellie was safe. After repeatedly calling her dog’s name, Ellie jumped out through the rear window and reunited with her.
Two women at the scene called emergency services, and Light was taken to a hospital in Tijuana to stop the bleeding before being transferred to Scripps Mercy Hospital in San Diego, where she underwent emergency surgery.
Months of recovery ahead
More than a month later, Light recently had her cast and stitches removed during a follow-up appointment. However, doctors told her she will be unable to put weight on her injured leg for at least six months.
The injury has also forced her to pause her coaching business, leaving her without income during her recovery.
“During my rehabilitation and recovery, I have legal expenses, transportation issues, housing costs and need help caring for Ellie while I recover, in addition to many unexpected financial burdens that come with surviving a violent crime in another country,” Light wrote.
In addition to her medical recovery, Light said her vehicle remains in an evidence impound lot in Tijuana, where storage fees continue to accumulate.
The car will need to be transported back to the United States once it is released and will require significant repairs because of the damage sustained during the shooting.
Ellie becomes a source of comfort
Throughout her recovery, Light says Ellie has been a constant source of emotional support. The dog accompanied her during ambulance rides and waited with her throughout her hospital stay.
Inspired by the experience, Light hopes to have Ellie trained and certified as a therapy dog so they can help others coping with trauma and hospitalization.
Light has launched a GoFundMe campaign with a goal of raising $13,000 to help cover housing, rehabilitation, transportation, legal expenses, the recovery of her vehicle and Ellie’s future therapy dog training.
