On Thursday night, Feb. 16, a beautiful 19 year old girl is studying for the State of Florida EMT Certification exam after months of driving from St. Augustine, FL to Orange Park, FL  and Palatka, FL for classes and practical experience culminating in her recent completion of the EMT program at St Johns River State College.  A little after 7:00 pm this night she decides to take a break and drive a short distance to the Kangaroo station at the corner of Hwy 206 and US1 to get gas and a breath of fresh air. 

After putting gas into the car, and walking from the gas pump back to the driver's side to get in the car to leave, out of nowhere, a huge white dually pickup truck suddenly backs into her body, pinning her between her car and the big truck.  She screams and beats her fist on the truck. The driver, believed to be a young white female, looked back, gunned it, and hit her a second time.  Then the driver sped away. A hit and run.

She was admitted to Flagler Hospital with extensive severe injuries - a pelvis factured in 4 places, a fractured sacrum, a deep 3 inch cut to her leg.  On Feb. 23 she was transferred to Brooks Rehab Hospital in Jacksonville, FL where she will undergo intensive physical therapy for a protracted period of time.  When she is finally released from hospital care, continued physical therapy will be required as she learns to walk again and care for herself. She will be ina wheelchair for an undetermined length of time and will require assistance.  

The medical bills are mounting and will continue to escalate as she recovers, with so many expenses beyond anything insurance will cover. Her car will need extensive repairs, as well, where her body crushed the side panel and doors from the force of the large vehicle crushing her.

This wonderful young lady, is Amira Kennedy.  I've known her most of her life and consider her and her mom, Amy, life-long friends. I know her life has been changed drastically overnight.  I hope you can find it in your heart to help her, or to just pray for her, or share this information in hopes of finding the driver that fled the scene.  I'm sharing the link to the news story which was aired in Jacksonville and Atlanta.

Amira is a happy, kind, and loving soul who has always served others in her life.  She needs help now. Please do whatever you can, it would greatly appreciated .