2007 Lift Handle Gate Came off, cannot open trunk

Welcome to PriusChat!!

CA is a fairly large state, which metroplex are you near?

 

For starters, you can always open the hatch from inside. If you pull the plastic tray out before you close the hatch, you'll have fairly easy access. There should be a little metal plate down next to the gap the hatch latch slides into. I believe you pull up on it to release. It's been a little bit since I had to do it when I was replacing my hatch switch cover.

Here's a link on how:
How to Open Your Toyota Prius Trunk (a.k.a Boot) When Your Battery Is Dead | AxleAddict

 

When my hatch lock mechanism failed, I tied a piece of string to that release handle which was long enough to reach back to and over the rear seat, as it would be a while until I got the part and effected a repair. I then used the remote to unlock the car and if I want to open the hatch I opened the back door and pulled on the string. Worked a treat. (Actually, thinking about it, the string was long enough so I could reach the hatch and lift the hatch when I pulled on the string.)

As far as repair goes, the part you need is a Rear Hatch Garnish, that comes pre-painted (if OEM) but you can get cheap knock offs that seem to do the job, but are not necessary pre-painted. It sounds like you might need at least a new switch cover (again available from third parties) and maybe a new hatch switch. As you will be taking it all apart anyway to fix the garnish, you may as well do the cover if it is going gooey and a new switch so you don't have to deal with removing the goo off the old switch.

 

Let me know if you need a hand opening the hatch, or with charging/replacing the 12v.