6-Year-Old Girl's Hit & Run Recovery A 'Miracle'
BOSTON (CBS) - "I'm going home today!"
That's what 6-year-old Melissa Orosco of Allston told WBZ NewsRadio 1030 Wednesday, as she was released from the Franciscan Hospital for Children.
Melissa had been in the hospital since January 8 when she was nearly killed by a hit-and-run driver at the intersection of Cambridge St. and Harvard Ave. in Brighton. She was walking home from church with her parents when she was struck.
WBZ NewsRadio 1030's Carl Stevens reports
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"At the time the accident happened, I thought that she was dead," her mother, Jovita Barrios, told WBZ through a translator.
"I fell on my knees and I was praying to God and saying it's impossible that You're taking her away from me. You just gave her to me."
Afterwards, she was treated for what police called "life-altering head trauma."
"She had a brain injury, but she also had other injuries. She had an injury to her liver, an injury to her lungs, injury to her kidneys," Dr. Jane O'Brien, the medical director at Franciscans, told WBZ.
She could not walk. But she can now.
Watch Carl's interview with Melissa
Melissa's mother calls her remarkable recovery a miracle.
"God gave her back to me and gave me my princess," she said.
Melissa plans on returning to school Monday.
The driver of the silver Jeep Cherokee has not been found.
Investigators say it has front end damage and possibly one or two broken headlights.
Anyone with information is asked to call detectives at (617) 343-4256 or the CrimeStoppers Tip Line at 1-800-494-TIPS. You can also text 'TIP' to CRIME (27463).
WBZ-TV's Christina Hager reports.
