A Georgia family was spending Christmas in the hospital after an adorable eight-year-old girl was struck by a car on Friday evening while trying to cross the street with her friends.
Kayla Frazier, 8, suffered multiple injuries after she was hit by a car around 4 pm on Friday in her Atlanta neighborhood, according to local police.
‘As Kayla was crossing the street with her friends, all the cars were slowing down but this one particular car,’ Kayla’s mom, Tia Lawson, told local NBC affiliate, WXIA-TV.
Lawson told the publication that Kayla’s grandmother picked her up from school, and the eight-year-old later left to walk to a friend’s house with other neighborhood children.
The driver told police that two kids ran in front of her vehicle and she wasn’t able to avoid them, according to an incident report obtained by CBS News.
The report added that Kayla was unable to speak when police arrived. Kayla’s father, Kourtney Frazier, told local ABC affiliate, WSB-TV, that his daughter was dragged at least 20 feet before the car stopped.
‘It was just devastating to see my daughter like that. I thought she was gone,’ he added.
Kayla’s parents told local news that she suffered a spinal injury and has undergone two injuries since the crash.
Kayla Frazier, 8, was struck by a vehicle while crossing the street in Atlanta, Georgia on Friday afternoon
Kayla’s family said that she’s endured multiple surgeries and has a long road to recovery ahead of her
Kayla’s mom, Tia Lawson, said her daughter needed rods placed in her back and doctors had to reattach her ear after the horror crash
She had rods placed in her back, and doctors also had to reattach her ear. The eight-year-old has a long road to recovery and will need to continue to wear a back brace and undergo physical therapy.
‘You never want your child in the hospital, especially during Christmas,’ Lawson told WXIA.
Kayla is a third-grade student and a cheerleader. Her family said she is athletic and lights up every room.
Even though she is unable to walk, her parents wrote in an online fundraiser that their daughter remains in high spirits.
A family friend recently shared a photo of Kayla in the hospital with Atlanta rapper Breskii.
Even though the eight-year-old is stuck in a hospital bed on Christmas, her family said she’s remained in high spirits and was even visited by a local Atlanta rapper
Kayla is a cheerleader and was described as a fun-loving, athletic girl who can light up a room by her family
‘Look who pulled up on my dancing machine… Kayla continue to stay strong you got a load of people behind you!!!’ the caption read.
Lawson has shared multiple photos and videos of friends and family members visiting Kayla as she recovers in the hospital.
The Daily Mail has reached out to the Atlanta Police Department for an update on the investigation into the crash.
