SHEILA A. MATHEWS :::
A six-year-old girl was critically injured Thursday morning when she was struck by a white Ford Escape.
According to Lt. Curtis Keys, of the Griffin Police Department Uniform Patrol Division, the incident occurred as the child was en route to her bus stop.
“A group of kids were walking southbound on Solomon St. towards their bus stop and a six-year-old little girl darted out in the street and was struck,” he said.
The Escape that struck the young girl was being driven by a 17-year-old girl.
“I believe she was on her way to school, too,” Keys said.
Keys said the children at the bus stop were shaken up by the incident, as was the bus driver.
“Another bus driver had to take over the route because she was so upset,” he said. “The school system was also bringing counselors out to help the other children.”
The investigation is ongoing, but Keys said the driver has not been charged in the incident.
“From witnesses on the scene, it was unavoidable. She ran out from the grassy area and was struck,” he said.
Keys said the little girl’s young brother was present and witnessed the incident, but they were not being accompanied by a parent.
Griffin Fire-Rescue personnel responded to the scene and established a landing zone. The child was subsequently air lifted to Egleston Children’s Hospital in Atlanta.
At approximately 9:45 a.m., Keys made contact with the little girl’s father who stated she is in critical but stable condition with multiple injuries.
