A 14-year-old girl was seriously hurt Jan. 24, when she was struck by an SUV while crossing a road in Hillsboro, authorities report.
Alexis Camden, an eighth-grade student at Hillsboro Junior High School, was released from the hospital Monday (Jan. 30) and now faces an extended recuperation at home due to injuries to her kidney and spleen, as well as other injuries, said her father, Mike Camden.
Hillsboro Police Chief Charles Bennett said the incident occurred after 6 p.m. when the girl attempted to walk across Old Hwy. 21 at Hwy. B and was struck by a 2012 Chevrolet Traverse, headed north on Old Hwy. 21.
“Apparently, she stepped out in front of a vehicle,” Bennett said. “She was hurt pretty bad.”
Bennett said the driver, a 23-year-old De Soto man, was not cited with any violations.
“Witnesses said she ran out in front of the car,” Bennett said.
She was transported by helicopter to St. Louis Children’s Hospital.
Her father said today (Jan. 31) that his daughter sustained fractured ribs, cuts and kidney and spleen injuries.
“She’s still hurting,” Camden said. “She’s still having a problem getting up. She’s going to miss a lot of school. She’s homebound. She can’t ride in a car or do anything that would bounce around her kidneys.”
He said his daughter cannot recall anything about the accident.
“She doesn’t remember (the circumstances),” Camden said. “She doesn’t even remember getting hit.”
Despite her injuries, Camden said he feels Alexis was fortunate, overall.
“It’s still pretty bad, but she’ll make a full recovery,” he said. “It could have been a lot worse.”