A fundraising effort was continuing today to help defray expenses for a 25-year-old sheriff’s deputy who was seriously injured when struck by an SUV while chasing a suspect on foot in Paramount several days before Thanksgiving.

“The good news is she is awake and improving,” according to the Association for Los Angeles Deputy Sheriffs, which is accepting donations for Dakota Palanca.

The Lakewood Station deputy was injured about 5:30 p.m. on Nov. 25 near Alondra Boulevard and Downey Avenue after responding to a call of a person acting erratically in the parking lot of a strip mall.

“Prior to even exiting her vehicle, she was immediately assaulted by the suspect, who began punching her through the window of her radio car,” Sheriff Alex Villanueva said at a news conference the day of the attack.

The suspect ran off and Palanca was chasing him through the parking lot when she was struck by a Chevrolet Suburban. The driver, who was apprehended a short distance away near Indiana Avenue and Jackson Street, “was determined to be driving under the influence and arrested for felony DUI,” Villanueva said.

The suspect from the original call was taken into custody after a brief struggle and arrested on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon on a peace officer, the sheriff said.

According to ALADS, Palanca’s family traveled to Los Angeles to be at her bedside as she continues her recovery.

The Lakewood Sheriff’s Station and ALADS have established an account for anyone wishing to make donations to assist Palanca and her family.

Contributions can be made via the ALADS website, or send or bring checks made out to ALADSCARES, with “Deputy Palanca” on the memo line, to ALADS, 2 Cupania Circle, Monterey Park, CA 91755.

Cash donations can also be sent or brought to the union offices.

In addition, all donations made to the ALADS CARES Foundation between Dec. 11 and this Saturday are being earmarked for Palanca.