>> tubes, bandages, machines? >> ventilator -- she had severe swelling. severe swelling in her face. >> reporter: and that was the only injury dana appeared to have. deb's mind reeled with the possibilities of what might have happened -- a terrible accident, perhaps a hit-and-run. and of course nothing could be learned from dana herself. >> even though she was unconscious, were you talking to her? >> absolutely, you know, begging her, wake up. you know, i can remember grabbin' her hospital gown and saying, you know, wake up. just wake up, just open your eyes, you know. open your eyes. >> reporter: rookie detective bob bratton was in bed when he got the call about a possible hit-and-run on tracy road. he raced to the scene. >> so you pull up. what do you see? >> when i pull up, what i see is the squad is still there, the rescue squad. and there are people, of course, congregated at this point.