According to the accident report, the girl was playing in the front yard when a vehicle driven by a 28-year-old man apparently careened out of control, striking the girl and sending her flying before crashing into her family’s home. Surveillance cameras showed family members rushing to help the injured girl, while the man is seen fleeing the scene. The girl was rushed to a local hospital with critical injuries, but she has survived and is currently confined to a wheelchair while undergoing physical therapy.
Police launched a manhunt for the driver which lasted four days, before the man turned himself into authorities. He now faces charges including reckless driving, hit and run, serious injury by vehicle, and several traffic infractions. The man’s legal team is focused on his defense, but so far, no trial date has been announced.
In a car accident where such serious injuries are suffered, especially by a child, there exists an impetus to see justice done. Certainly, the man could be found guilty of the criminal charges and face jail time, but Georgia law also allows the girl’s family to sue for personal injury in civil court. Any damages the court chooses to award the family, if their claim is corroborated by evidence, can be used to medically support the girl and her family on her long road to recovery.
