7-Year-Old in Life-Threatening Condition After Being Hit by a Truck Chasing Her Ball into the Road
One of the first lessons our parents teach us as children is to look both ways before crossing the street. This is, of course, to prevent us from getting hit by a car, especially considering our small stature makes it harder for drivers to see us. Unfortunately, sometimes, even when precautions are taken, accidents happen. This is just what happened to 7-year-old Emery Burrows from St. George, Utah. Now, she is fighting for her life.
7-Year-Old Girl Hit By Car While Retrieving Ball From The Street
little Emery Burrows was playing soccer with her brother on the front lawn of their home in St. George, Utah. This is when the ball rolled into the street. Following the instructions her mom had previously given her, Emery looked left, then right, before going to retrieve the ball.
”She looked right, looked left, she looked left there was a car coming, she stopped that car saw her, saw the ball, and stopped,” her aunt Kate explained. ”Then Emery proceeded to run from that car and didn’t see there was a vehicle coming the opposite way.” (1)
Emery was struck by a pickup truck coming the opposite direction. The driver of the truck was the family’s neighbor, who simply didn’t see the small little girl in the darkening skies and who was so low to the ground. He remained at the scene and cooperated with law enforcement and first responders. Emery lay on the ground, unconscious.
”There’s nothing they could’ve done; it’s dark, you don’t see a ball or a kid,” Kate Story said. ”Then all of a sudden there’s this little peanut right in front of you.” She continued. In another interview, she said the family does not blame the driver, as it was no more his fault than Emery’s. ”It was one of those things where it’s like, ‘Oh, it’s not really Emery’s fault. It’s definitely not this guy’s fault – It’s just a tragedy.” (2)
Emery Burrows Airlifted To Hospital
Sadly, the situation was quite grave. Emery suffered a fractured skull and brain bleed, as well as a tibia fracture, among others. The first responders quickly had her airlifted to the pediatric ICU in Las Vegas. She was set up on a ventilator as she could at first not breathe on her own. Thankfully, since that day, she has made incredible progress. Just two days later she was already breathing on her own. The doctors have put a chain and screws which are currently holding her leg together. Her brain bleed and swelling has gone down. Though no longer on sedation, she was still floating in and out of consciousness as of Monday night. That being said, she was able to say some words. The family is hopeful for her continued recovery.
”She’s in and out of consciousness right now, she’s breathing on her own, she does have the ability to speak although she hasn’t been talking and conversing yet or opened her eyes to make eye contact yet,” her aunt said. ”But as far as traumatic brain injury, all of those signs are reassuring.”
As already stated, the family is holding no hardship towards their neighbor. They have maintained that this was a tragic accident and that it was not his fault. The family have requested for people to not only send their prayers and well wishes to Emery, but also to the driver and his wife, who have been traumatized by the event.
“Please pray for my tiny girl to make a full recovery so she can get back to dancing, playing soccer, and loving on her puppies. Please also pray for my neighbor that hit her, that he and his wife will be able to heal from this tragedy as well. Thank you,” Emery’s mom wrote on their GoFundMe page. (3)
GoFundMe Campaign
The Borrows family have set up a GoFundMe campaign to help them cover Emery’s extensive medical costs. So far, of their $25,000 goal, they have raised just over $17,000. Any donation is welcome, as they now have enormous medical costs to cover along with the cost of the family having to be in Las Vegas while Emery recovers. The family describes Emery as a fighter and a fiery little girl. She dances competitively, is a talented soccer player, and loves to sing. They are continuously hopeful that she will make a full recovery, without any overly-impactful long-term complications.
