12-Year-Old on ‘Road to Recovery’ After Mom Accidentally Ran Over Her at School Drop-Off: Trooper

Mar. 15, 2025

Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital in St. Petersburg, Florida.Photo:Tampa Bay Times via ZUMA Press Wire

Tampa Bay Times via ZUMA Press Wire

The 12-year-old student from Florida whose motheraccidentally ran her overon the first day of school, is continuing to recover, police tell PEOPLE.

The girl, who has not yet been publicly identified, was previously listed as critically injured after the Aug. 12 incident — which occurred in the right turn lane on Myrtle Street west of Newtown Boulevard at Booker Middle School in Sarasota.

On Thursday, Aug. 15, Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) Trooper Kenn Watson confirmed to PEOPLE that the child was still on the “road to recovery” — and that there has been “a lot of luck” involved in her ongoing recovery given what happened.

Additionally, school officials tell PEOPLE that the school’s leadership team and the district support team are collaborating to support the family.

Unbeknownst to the parent, the student had dropped some markers and pens and bent down to pick them up from under the vehicle, when the mother began to drive off.

Her condition was officially upgraded to “stable” on Tuesday, Aug. 13, according to Watson.

As of Aug. 15, police said that there were no updates on the crash report to share.

Cordon tape — stock image.Getty

Getty

A Sarasota County Schools spokesperson confirmed the accident to PEOPLE, and said, “The school district encourages all families to follow district & school safety protocols and use the designated student pickup and drop off areas on school campuses.”

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Watson added, “We’re hoping this does not happen again, but we have to remember to have that good spatial awareness when you are anywhere around a school zone and most certainly when you are letting your kid out of your vehicle.”

source: people.com