Son of MMA fighter Marcus Kowal dies after being struck by alleged DUI driver

Monday, September 5, 2016

MMA fighter Marcus Kowal pictured with his son, Liam Mikael Kowal, in two undated photos.
KABC

HAWTHORNE, Calif. -- The 15-month-old son of MMA fighter Marcus Kowal was taken off life support after being struck by a suspected drunk driver in California over the weekend.

The athlete's son, Liam Mikael Kowal, was being pushed in a stroller through a crosswalk by his teen aunt Saturday afternoon in Hawthorne when they were struck by a 72-year-old woman, according to police.

The suspect, identified as Donna Marie Higgins, tried to flee the scene, but witnesses followed her and blocked the vehicle until authorities arrived.

Donna Marie Higgins, 72, is shown in a mugshot.
Hawthorne Police Department

She was arrested on suspicion of felony drunk driving and felony hit-and-run. She was booked at the Hawthorne jail in lieu of $100,000 bail.

Kowal posted the devastating news on Instagram.

"The support we have received from the Martial Arts world is unreal. From #BJJ to #KravMaga to MMA. Tears are running down my cheeks as I look at this picture of my little boy and read the message from @bashboxing and @cxf_mma," he wrote.

A GoFundMe account has been set up to help the family.