WOODHAVEN, Mich. – A 7-year-old girl was seriously injured when she was hit by a car while attempting to cross a street in Woodhaven.
The incident happened just before 8 p.m. Friday on West Road near Hall Road.
Woodhaven police said Jolee Werley was crossing the street from a McDonald's restaurant on West Road with a group of children when she was hit by a vehicle and was thrown several feet.
Melanie Werley, 13, can't erase the horrific scene Friday night involving her little sister.
"Every time I shut my eyes, I would see it happen over and over again," Melanie Werley said. "It was really scary because her head was bleeding."
Police said the driver of the vehicle fled.
"We got to the middle turning lane, Jolee started running. I told her to stop, and this car came out of no where and hit her," Melanie Werley said. "I ran over to her and flipped her over and I start giving her CPR."
While the driver didn't stop, Melanie Werley is thankful others did.
"This one lady, she jumped off her motorcycle with her boyfriend and she ran up to help and another guy came up and started supporting her spine, and all the cars started to stop," Melanie Werley said.
The Erving Elementary second-grader underwent surgery for a broken leg, head injuries and a collapsed lung, her grandmother, Melody Werley, told Local 4 News. Jolee Werley is now breathing on her own, but was still unconscious Saturday night with her parents standing by bedside, waiting for her to wake up.
The family's pastor, who was with parents at the hospital, said Jolee has along road to recovery.
"We're praying God will heal her and we love her," Melody Werley said.
Police said they're looking for a newer model dark blue Chevy Impala or Malibu with front-end damage on the driver's side.
Family members are hoping Jolee Werley pulls through, but the family is also praying the person responsible is caught or at least surrenders.
"It looked like it accelerated just to hit her, because it was going slow and it was a red light," Melanie Werley said. "We were 60 feet from the light. He wasn't trying to speed up to catch the light."
"We don't want that to go on again because there will be other children, maybe even adults, this person will hit," Melody Werley said.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Woodhaven police at 734-676-7337.