Arizona grandmother left disabled after grocery parking-lot accident seeks help for ongoing care

A Scottsdale grandmother says she has been unable to return to work and continues to suffer cognitive and sensory impairments after a 2019 accident in which the hatch of an SUV struck her head while she was helping a customer load groceries.

Lynn Knutson, 63, told local media that the customer accidentally dropped the hatchback of the vehicle onto her head and then left the scene without rendering aid. Knutson said she has not seen the driver since. Early symptoms included headaches and slurred speech, and she later developed persistent memory loss, blurred vision, fatigue, balance problems and a heightened sensitivity to light.

Knutson and her family have pursued medical care at several hospitals and with multiple specialists. Testing cited by the family’s online fundraiser shows her processing speed at roughly 15% of normal and notes that her nervous system overreacts to visual and auditory stimuli, complicating everyday activities. "Interacting with life and accomplishing even basic activities of daily living continues to be a challenge on a multitude of levels," the fundraiser states.

Her son, Tyler Knutson, said she is receiving disability benefits but that the payments are insufficient to cover mounting medical bills and living expenses. The family said workman’s compensation covered some early medical costs but that the claim was later dropped; the family has challenged that decision in court and said it has received no further assistance in the meantime.

As of Sept. 16, 2025, a HelpHopeLive fundraiser set up by Knutson’s family had raised $3,335 toward a $10,000 goal to help cover ongoing treatment, travel and basic needs such as food and utilities. The fundraising page says Knutson receives Supplemental Nutrition Assistance and that trips to see specialists, including visits to Chicago for practitioners not available in Arizona, have added to the family’s financial burden. The page also notes a complicated treatment only performed by a small number of doctors worldwide; the family said one of those specialists practices in Utah.

Knutson has posted updates to the fundraising page describing the logistical and financial strain of long-distance medical care. She has placed vision charts and a list of rehabilitation goals in her home to help manage symptoms and remain focused on recovery. Family members described her as an outgoing, positive person who had worked in a supermarket before the injury and who helped others frequently.

Medical records and testing details shared by the family indicate ongoing neurological impairment but do not specify a single formal diagnosis beyond a severe brain injury caused by blunt trauma to the head. The family says she has been evaluated at multiple hospitals and by several doctors; Knutson told local reporters she cannot recall details of the accident and does not know whether she lost consciousness immediately afterward.

The case highlights the long-term consequences faced by people who sustain traumatic brain injuries in low-velocity, nonvehicular workplace incidents and the financial challenges of accessing specialty care. Experts note that recovery from traumatic brain injury can be protracted and that symptoms such as cognitive slowing, vision problems and sensitivity to sensory input may persist and require multidisciplinary rehabilitation.

Knutson’s family said they are grateful for donations and community support while they continue to pursue medical options and legal avenues to cover care. "My hope is that she gets better, that’s what I ultimately want to see," her son said.

The family’s fundraiser and public updates provide the most detailed public account of Knutson’s condition and needs. Authorities and the family did not provide additional information about the driver who left the scene or about the outcome of any law enforcement inquiry into the 2019 incident.