Little Charlie injured in Deliberate Hit & Run
Donation protected
On Sunday afternoon, April 14 between 2 and 3pm, Chris and Danette Hammis were walking with their 3 year sold son Charlie between them in front of their house. Charlie was cheerfully helping to carry his car seat to his babysitter's car. As the family, their babysitter and neighbors observed a car came down their culdesac at high speed (after accelerating and swerving towards them). The white VW sedan first hit Charlie's father, who slammed into the windshield. Then dad watched in horror as Charlie was hit and dragged, and rolled and crushed under the car tires. The driver spun out off of Charlie's foot and then hit his mother throwing her off and over the car also.
After being rushed to the hospital all three were in separate rooms. Chris couldn't get information on the status of his son and wife, so after only being treated for his most obvious broken arm and severely sprained ankle he asked to see his family. After a couple of days of tests it was determined that Charlie had a severe injury to his neck. The neurosurgeon said that Charlie would already be in a halo if it were not for the severity of his other head wounds. Charlie has a fractured skull on one side, and seven staples on his little head on the other, not to mention severely sprained foot and road rash leaving car treads down his back and all over the rest of his body. The risk of infection is extremely high.
Charlie has been released with a neck brace in hopes that he (a happy energetic 3 year old! plagued with bouts of severe pain) will tolerate the neck brace and begin healing - in hopes that the halo will not be needed. However, any wrong movement of his neck could easily lead him to stop breathing and lose all feeling from his neck down. The family needs to be able to watch him round the clock for at least 3 months, and he will be regularly evaluated to see if and when they use the halo.
Soon after bringing Charlie home, Chris finally had to go back to the emergency room for ever increasing pain in his back. We found out that dad has an exterior break on his spine. Dad will not be able to pick up his son during this critical time. Dad also may need surgery on his hand for a severe break. Mom, Danette, also has staples in her head and a severe hand injury that will be evaluated next week for surgery.
The family is working with police and media to try and locate the person who did this. But the police were very upfront in saying that there was little they can do since no one was able to get a license plate. Generous family and friends have established a ten thousand dollar reward for any information leading to the apprehension of the driver.
This family will face losing two salaries, while enduring the most sensitive and difficult care taking of their son and themselves for months to come. They are so grateful for all of the love and support. In such a horrific experience the kindness and generosity they've received has been a great comfort. Any assistance is greatly appreciated and much needed.
********Original Story Below - Revision with More Information Above********
On Sunday afternoon, April 14, a young male driver intentionally hit and ran over Charlie and his parents on the road in front of their home.
They were loading up Charlie’s car seat. The driver slowed down, swerved towards them and then floored it. My stepdaughter flew on the hood, son-in-law was knocked down and Little Charlie went under the car.
Charlie has a skull fracture, head laceration (7 staples), injured ankle and a lot of road rash on his head and body. He also has tire marks on the inside of his left leg. He doesn’t have broken bones or internal injuries. An MRI is scheduled for his neck and head. We’re not sure how long he’ll be in the hospital.
My daughter has 2 staples in the back of head and sore back. Her right hand has a laceration and is swollen. She’s a hairdresser and will need to go to hand specialist. Son-in-law has a cast on left wrist, splint on sprained ankle plus sore jaw. All three were taken to hospital in separate ambulances.
Because the three of them will have exorbitant medical bills, especially Charlie, we’d like to help them out. Both parents work full-time and will have loss of work. We appreciate any assistance at this time.
*Tempe PD has not found the driver and will only move forward if a license plate is provided.
After being rushed to the hospital all three were in separate rooms. Chris couldn't get information on the status of his son and wife, so after only being treated for his most obvious broken arm and severely sprained ankle he asked to see his family. After a couple of days of tests it was determined that Charlie had a severe injury to his neck. The neurosurgeon said that Charlie would already be in a halo if it were not for the severity of his other head wounds. Charlie has a fractured skull on one side, and seven staples on his little head on the other, not to mention severely sprained foot and road rash leaving car treads down his back and all over the rest of his body. The risk of infection is extremely high.
Charlie has been released with a neck brace in hopes that he (a happy energetic 3 year old! plagued with bouts of severe pain) will tolerate the neck brace and begin healing - in hopes that the halo will not be needed. However, any wrong movement of his neck could easily lead him to stop breathing and lose all feeling from his neck down. The family needs to be able to watch him round the clock for at least 3 months, and he will be regularly evaluated to see if and when they use the halo.
Soon after bringing Charlie home, Chris finally had to go back to the emergency room for ever increasing pain in his back. We found out that dad has an exterior break on his spine. Dad will not be able to pick up his son during this critical time. Dad also may need surgery on his hand for a severe break. Mom, Danette, also has staples in her head and a severe hand injury that will be evaluated next week for surgery.
The family is working with police and media to try and locate the person who did this. But the police were very upfront in saying that there was little they can do since no one was able to get a license plate. Generous family and friends have established a ten thousand dollar reward for any information leading to the apprehension of the driver.
This family will face losing two salaries, while enduring the most sensitive and difficult care taking of their son and themselves for months to come. They are so grateful for all of the love and support. In such a horrific experience the kindness and generosity they've received has been a great comfort. Any assistance is greatly appreciated and much needed.
********Original Story Below - Revision with More Information Above********
On Sunday afternoon, April 14, a young male driver intentionally hit and ran over Charlie and his parents on the road in front of their home.
They were loading up Charlie’s car seat. The driver slowed down, swerved towards them and then floored it. My stepdaughter flew on the hood, son-in-law was knocked down and Little Charlie went under the car.
Charlie has a skull fracture, head laceration (7 staples), injured ankle and a lot of road rash on his head and body. He also has tire marks on the inside of his left leg. He doesn’t have broken bones or internal injuries. An MRI is scheduled for his neck and head. We’re not sure how long he’ll be in the hospital.
My daughter has 2 staples in the back of head and sore back. Her right hand has a laceration and is swollen. She’s a hairdresser and will need to go to hand specialist. Son-in-law has a cast on left wrist, splint on sprained ankle plus sore jaw. All three were taken to hospital in separate ambulances.
Because the three of them will have exorbitant medical bills, especially Charlie, we’d like to help them out. Both parents work full-time and will have loss of work. We appreciate any assistance at this time.
*Tempe PD has not found the driver and will only move forward if a license plate is provided.
Fundraising team (3)
Tami Emmett
Organizer
Raised $175 from 3 donations
Mesa, AZ
Christopher Hammis
Beneficiary
Danette Hammis
Team member
Raised $155 from 3 donations
Connie Hammis
Team member
This team raised $15,225 from 264 other donations.
