LITHONIA, Ga. — A 9-year-old who was hit by a car as she played in her yard and was seriously injured is out of the hospital and making progress in her recovery.
Channel 2's Audrey Washington was on Cherokee Valley Circle in Lithonia where the accident happened in March.
Harrowing surveillance video, showed the moment a car plowed through the yard and hit LaDerihanna Holmes before the driver and a passenger ran away.
LaDerihanna was left with a fractured skull, broken pelvis and other injuries. Her friend was also injured.
LaDerihanna is now home, but she can't walk yet. She has to use a wheelchair or a walker. She's spending her time homeschooling and going through rehab to help her recovery.
Washington, who has been covering the accident since it happened, talked to LaDerihanna about the accident and how she's feeling now.
"My pelvic bone was injured in three places," LaDerihanna said.
Laderihanna told Washington she hasn't seen the video of the car smashing into her and then her house, but she remembers what it sounded like.
"Tires screeching," LaDerihanna said.
DeKalb County police said both the driver and another man inside the car jumped out seconds after the crash and took off running.
"I feel like it was a cowardly thing to do.”
— Audrey Washington (@AudreyWSBTV) May 1, 2019
The 9 year old who was run over, while playing in her front yard, is out of the hospital!
Now she has some strong words for the suspects who are accused of running away after the crash.
The story, next.@wsbtv pic.twitter.com/S5pDPURycg
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Gabriel Fordham, 28, turned himself in to police and remains in jail. Fordham originally claimed that he lost control of the car because he was being carjacked. A judge disputed Fordham's account.
LaDerihanna's mom also isn't buying Fordham's story.
"He let (the other passenger) in and they were with him," Charlette Bolton said
LaDerihanna is working hard to get better. With more rehab, she hopes to regain the use of her right leg.
"I don't get to do the things I usually do, but I'm OK," LaDerihanna said. She had strong words for Fordham.
"I feel like it was a cowardly thing to do," she said. "You ran me over, but I'm going to get better real soon. Don't think you hurt me too much."
Fordham's passenger is still on the run. Fordham's attorney told Washington that they plan to ask the judge for a new hearing.
Cox Media Group
