Olivia was simply taking a walk along the Pacific Beach boardwalk during her lunch break when her life changed in a matter of seconds.
The 25-year-old was struck by an allegedly stolen Tesla that authorities say sped onto the crowded beachfront walkway on September 14 while fleeing police, sending pedestrians and cyclists scrambling to get out of its path. Olivia suffered two broken ribs, two fractured vertebrae and a severe laceration requiring approximately 20 stitches, according to Ocean Pacific Gym.
She spent five nights in the hospital and now requires round-the-clock assistance as she begins what her gym community says will be months of recovery. Ocean Pacific Gym has launched a GoFundMe to help Olivia and her loved ones with medical expenses, everyday needs and assistance while she recovers.
Olivia has been part of the Ocean Pacific Gym community for more than a year, and Ken Cornell of OPG said the injuries have been particularly life-changing for someone whose life has long revolved around physical activity. According to Cornell, Olivia strength trains, practices Pilates and yoga, plays tennis and was training to become an instructor before being injured.
"You can imagine how life-changing these injuries are," Cornell said in a video announcing the fundraiser. "OPG is more than a gym. We're a community. That's our currency. And now we need to take care of one of our own."
Ocean Pacific Gym is putting its own money behind that message. Cornell announced the gym will contribute $5,000 toward Olivia's recovery while encouraging members of the Pacific Beach community and others moved by her story to contribute whatever they can.
"I'm asking all of you just to contribute whatever you can - $5, $10, $20," Cornell said. "Any bit of support matters."
The fundraiser puts a name and personal story to the victim of an incident that generated widespread attention across San Diego because of dramatic videos showing a blue Tesla Model X speeding along the beachfront walkway as pedestrians and cyclists desperately scrambled to escape its path.
The September 14 incident began shortly after noon when the owner of a stolen Tesla contacted San Diego police and reported being able to electronically track the vehicle. Officers located the Tesla traveling south on Mission Boulevard at approximately 12:31pm and attempted to stop it, but police allege the driver refused to yield and fled.
Police say the driver traveled into opposing traffic and struck an SDG&E transformer before continuing toward the beach. As the danger to the public escalated, an SDPD supervisor terminated the pursuit, but authorities say the Tesla continued toward the ocean and entered the boardwalk from Pacific Beach Drive.
Video captured the vehicle racing north along the busy pedestrian and bicycle path as people desperately moved out of its way. San Diego Fire-Rescue Department spokesperson Candace Hadley later said numerous people had to dive out of the way and that the incident "really could have been so much worse."
"This is a very busy boardwalk, having someone drive through this area is incredibly frightening," Hadley said.
Olivia was not able to escape the vehicle's path. Authorities said she was walking near Thomas and Reed avenues at approximately 12:40pm when the Tesla struck her, causing the injuries that ultimately kept her hospitalized for five nights.
Other people escaped by extraordinarily narrow margins. Video from the boardwalk shows pedestrians and cyclists moving out of the Tesla's path at the last moment, while one cyclist said the vehicle struck his bicycle and launched him to the side.
The driver eventually stopped the Tesla near Baja Beach Cafe and allegedly attempted to flee on foot. Several bystanders gave chase, including cyclist Alex Srour, who had narrowly avoided being struck himself and recorded portions of the pursuit using camera-equipped Meta smart glasses.
Srour and other beachgoers ultimately detained the suspect in a nearby parking area until police arrived. Footage of the Tesla racing along the boardwalk and the subsequent foot pursuit quickly spread across local and national news outlets.
Police identified the arrested man as 39-year-old Juan Antonio Gonzaba. Prosecutors subsequently charged Gonzaba with multiple felonies, including evading an officer causing serious bodily injury, assault with a deadly weapon, hit-and-run, vehicle theft and evading officers with reckless driving.
Gonzaba pleaded not guilty during his September 16 arraignment. A judge ordered him held without bail, and prosecutors said he could face as much as 24 years and eight months in state prison if convicted of all charges.
Court records show Gonzaba has an extensive criminal history spanning roughly two decades, including prior cases involving burglary, assault with a deadly weapon, vehicle theft and attempted kidnapping. Prosecutors also told the court that he had previously been placed on probation multiple times and was participating in court-ordered mental health diversion programs in three separate cases when the Pacific Beach incident occurred.
While much of the attention immediately following the incident focused on the dramatic police pursuit, the suspect's arrest and footage showing how narrowly other beachgoers escaped, Olivia's friends are now hoping to redirect some of that attention toward the person whose life was most directly altered.
For someone accustomed to strength training, Pilates, yoga, tennis and an exceptionally active lifestyle, organizers say Olivia's sudden dependence on others for basic daily needs has been a dramatic adjustment. Her recovery is expected to take months, and the fundraiser is intended to ease some of the financial burden on Olivia and her loved ones during that process.
"As Olivia begins healing, the road ahead will not be easy," the GoFundMe states. "Right now, the OPG community wants to surround Olivia with care in a real and meaningful way."
Organizers say money raised will help with hospital and doctor bills, everyday expenses and support while Olivia remains unable to independently perform some daily activities. Those who cannot contribute financially are being encouraged to share the fundraiser with others.
"OPG is more than a gym. It is a community, and right now one of our own needs us," the fundraiser states. "Let's rally around Olivia."
For Olivia, surviving the frightening encounter was only the beginning. Now her Pacific Beach community is hoping the attention generated by the shocking boardwalk incident can be transformed into support for the months of healing still ahead.
Those wishing to help can contribute through the "Stolen Tesla on Pacific Beach injures OPG member" GoFundMe, organized by Ocean Pacific Gym for Olivia.
Originally published on September 28, 2026.
