Beloved Seattle pet sitter recovering in hospital after hit-and-run

SEATTLE — A beloved Seattle pet sitter is in the hospital, after a car hit her while she was crossing a street Christmas night. 

“I love this city and now I'm one of its victims,” said Karen Miely from her hospital bed in Harborview Medical Center on Saturday afternoon. 

The 73-year-old is recovering after a car hit her while she was walking her cat at the corner of Orcas and 51st Avenue South near her home near Seward Park around 7 p.m. on Christmas night.

“I don't know where this person came from,” said Miely. “I don't remember anything, so it's just a shock that I finally got nailed.”

Miely said the incident left her with severe injuries including two broken legs and neck trauma. Which is devastating considering she needs to be mobile as a professional pet sitter and dog walker in Seattle. 

“With accessories, with boots, crutches, and everything. It'll be months before I'm more or less back to normal,” said Miely. 

Doctors told her she'll need at least 60 days of rehabilitation. As she endures this pain caused by someone that will have to live with what they did to her. 

“It's always with you,” said Miely. “It never leaves you. And you didn't take responsibility for it. So, it's never going to go away.”

The Seattle Police Department is investigating. As of Saturday evening, no arrests have been made and no suspects have been identified.

Meanwhile, Miely's clients are showing their support to their beloved pet sitter. By sending her words of encouragement and creating an online fundraiser to help get her back on her feet. 

“I appreciate them, I love them, and I love their pets, they're like family and I love my business,” said Miely.