Good Samaritan Saves 2-Year-Old From Hit-Run Driver In SW Philadelphia
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- Karelle Hampton barely knows what hit her, but David Lee remembers every ounce of the car he ran in front of Tuesday afternoon.
"I still picture it," Lee says, tears coming from his eyes. "I still see that image every time."
Karelle was playing with neighborhood kids in the park on Hobson Street in Elmwood, when she saw her uncle and ran into the road.
Standing nearby, Lee had just gotten back from his mother's. He says God put him where he needed to be.
"It was hot, so I said, 'Let's go down to the park,'" remembers Lee. "I was right there to do something. I didn't know what I was doing but I was doing the right thing."
Karelle's family has been by to say thanks all day, confident that if Lee was not there on Tuesday, Karelle might not be here now.
"I want to thank him," said Shaniya Hooper, "because he did save my daughter."
Karelle has a scrape on her left arm and still wears her hospital band. Lee suffered much worse, needing bandages to keep his injuries from swelling. But he says he never worried about himself.
"I wasn't worried about anyone but the little girl."
Police say the driver of the car left the scene but drove straight to the 12th police district and turned himself in. They say he is not facing any charges now, but the accident is still under investigation.
