12-year-old Marietta boy seriously injured after being struck by van
12-year-old Marietta boy seriously injured
A Cobb County community is acting after a middle school student was hit by a vehicle, leaving the 12-year-old seriously injured.
COBB COUNTY, Ga. - A Cobb County community is acting after a middle school student was hit by a vehicle, leaving the 12-year-old seriously injured.
What we know:
Preston Vail, 12, was hospitalized on Monday afternoon with numerous broken bones and internal injuries. Cobb County Police say the rising seventh grader at Mabry Middle School was struck by a Ford transit van while crossing Jamerson Road near Davis Elementary School.
Family friends say Preston was crossing Jamerson Road to shoot hoops at Davis Elementary when he was struck by a vehicle. Preston was airlifted to Children's Healthcare of Atlanta with serious injuries.
While many in the community are looking for safety solutions, they're also rallying around Preston who has a long road of recovery ahead of him.
What they're saying:
"He's a great kid. He is known as our gentle giant on our football team," said Megan Wagers, a family friend.
"His femur and his tibia on one leg are broken, and the opposite leg, his knee is broken. He has had lacerations of the liver, bruised lungs, and a tear in his aorta," said Wagers.
Community members are now trying to make that section of the road safer.
"As soon as I saw that, I mean, my stomach dropped," said Courtney Distefano, who often crosses this section of road with her children.
Distefano says she has contacted county officials and was told they're reviewing the traffic data for the area. She doesn't know if the answer is lighted crossing signs, reflectors or even a traffic light.
Distefano also started a petition, which hundreds have already signed.
"I'm sharing on all my social media the petition to improve the situation about the crosswalk and i encourage everyone else to do that too," said Katie Rowold, a parent who walks her children to school.
"I'm heard grumblings about this for a long time. So to see people actually standing by that and demanding action as well, I think is pivotal to seeing a solution," said Distefano.
While many in the community are looking for safety solutions, they're also rallying around Preston who has a long road of recovery ahead of him.
"They're feeling, the community support them, they're feeling the love, the football team has surrounded them," said Wagers.
A GoFundMe has also been established to support Preston's recovery.
What we don't know:
At this time, it is not known if any charges will be filed.
What's next:
Community members are now trying to make that section of the road safer.
The investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information is urged to contact the Cobb County Police Department STEP Unit at 770-499-3987.