Keating, O’Gara, Nedved & Peter

The Journal Star reports today on the shocking case of a 5 year old who was struck walking to the school bus in a Lincoln residential neighborhood. The shocking part of the case is that the offending driver fled the scene and then, apparently, filed a false report claiming his car had been stolen.

A 5-year-old girl was hit by a car and critically injured walking to the school bus Wednesday morning at 19th and Harwood streets. A witness said the girl’s mother and about 10 children getting onto the school bus saw the car hit the girl and the car drive away.

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A woman who lives in the neighborhood said she was on her porch when she saw the Taurus speed by, going maybe 40. And she saw the little girl take three steps out in front of a van parked against the curb.

“And the next thing I see her flying in the air and everything in her hands is everywhere,” the woman said. “And he just kept driving.” She said it was the most horrific sound she’s ever heard.

Rattled, she rushed inside to call 911 and said she’d just seen a speeding car hit a little girl.

About 10 kids had been waiting for the school bus at the corner saw it happen, she said. One little boy came up to her and said “He just kept going.”

“I will never forget that, ever,” she said.

Rescue workers took the girl to BryanLGH Medical Center West. She later was taken by helicopter to Creighton University Medical Center in Omaha, where she was listed in critical condition.

By late morning, the backpack, blanket and shoes sat on the pavement with markers around them, as police documented the scene.

If you or a loved one have been injured due to the negligence of another, please call Keating, O’Gara, Nedved & Peter at 888/234-0621 or fill out the contact form on this site. Your first consultation is free and we handle cases on a contingency fee basis.