ST. GEORGE — The child retrieving a soccer ball in the street and was struck by a vehicle Sunday evening has been identified by a family member who provided details of the youngster’s injuries and the efforts of the many responders and medical staff who likely saved her life.
Shortly before 8 p.m. Sunday, officers and emergency personnel were dispatched to a report of an injury crash involving a 7-year-old girl struck by a vehicle on the 900 block of South Morningside Drive in St. George.
Kate Story, the child’s aunt, told St. George News in a message that the child involved in the incident is 7-year-old Emery Burrows, who was flown to a trauma center in Las Vegas, Nevada where she remains in the pediatric intensive care unit.
When officers arrived on the scene Sunday, they found the child unconscious with multiple injuries, including a head wound that resulted in bleeding, St. George Police Officer Tiffany Mitchell told St. George News on Monday.
The youngster was transported to St. George Regional Hospital by ambulance, and shortly thereafter, she was flown by Intermountain Life Flight helicopter to the trauma center to be treated for “significant injuries,” Mitchell said.
According to preliminary information gathered from witnesses at the scene, Mitchell said the girl kicked a soccer ball that rolled into the street, and when she ran out to retrieve it, the child was struck by a pickup truck heading north along Morningside Drive.
Story said that many of the injuries the child sustained were considered to be life-threatening, including a skull fracture that extended from “ear to ear,” an injury that also caused a brain bleed that is now improving.
She also sustained a compound fracture to her right tibia that was repaired during surgery on Monday, wherein six screws were used to stabilize the bone that was “nearly shredded.”
By Monday night, Story wrote that the child was taken off sedation and is breathing on her own, and while she is still in and out of consciousness, Emery has been able to speak a few words.
Overall, the youngster’s condition is improving at an incredible rate – which Story said the family attributes to the many prayers that have been offered on the child’s behalf.
“If you know Em, you know that although she is a peanut of a thing, she is definitely fierce,” Story said in the message, adding that if anyone can come out of it – it is Emery.
Story also extended the family’s appreciation for the first responders in St. George, as well as staff at St. George Regional Hospital and the Life Flight crew – all of whom were “absolutely amazing,” she wrote, adding that the family is beyond grateful.
Additionally, Story asked for prayers for the driver of the pickup truck and the man’s family due to the traumatic nature of the accident that is “unimaginable,” she said.
“Our hearts are with him,” she added.
A GoFundMe page was set up for the family by Katelyn Lowder to cover any medical expenses, as well as the costs for travel, food and other expenses.
This report is based on statements from police and family members and may not contain the full scope of findings.
Editor note: When making charitable contributions it is advisable to consult with professionals for tax advice and investment risks. Due to the active crash investigation, the details pertaining to how the incident unfolded have been removed from the story, other than those included in the statement released by law enforcement personnel on Monday.
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