9-year-old girl was thrown 50 feet into the air when car hit her, her mother says

COLUMBIA COUNTY, Fla. (WJAX) – A Florida mother is speaking out about pedestrian safety after her 9-year-old daughter was hit by a car and seriously injured while trying to get to her school bus.

Aubrielle Jenkins was hit by a car early Thursday morning in Lake City as she walked to her school bus. Her mother, Tiara Thomas, says the 9-year-old was seriously injured after being thrown up to 50 feet in the air and then rushed to Shands UF Hospital in Gainesville.

“It’s just not right. My daughter suffered life-changing injuries,” Thomas said. “We’re looking at possibly amputating her little foot… because the arteries are so badly damaged that if it stops doing what it’s supposed to do in terms of blood flow, they’re going to have to take it in.”

Aubrielle Jenkins was hit by a car while walking to her school bus. Her mother says that... — Aubrielle Jenkins was hit by a car while walking to her school bus. Her mother says the 9-year-old was seriously injured after being thrown up to 50 feet in the air.(Source: Tiara Thomas, WJAX via CNN)

Aubrielle has just been released from the hospital after undergoing surgery for her injuries, but her mother says the emotional toll of the incident is far from over.

“I’m standing here talking to you, and I swear to God I’m watching my baby get hit over and over again,” Thomas said.

She says Aubrielle’s bus driver helped her after she was hit. The 9-year-old suffered serious injuries to her head and leg.

“So when he did CPR on her… (it was silent) until she started breathing again,” Thomas said.

Through the pain of her daughter’s injuries, Thomas is calling for greater awareness about pedestrian safety.

“The speed limit is 50 miles per hour. Why? These are babies going to school. You have to stop. Y’all need to be better and pay attention to your surroundings, man. Y’all are killing these kids,” she said.

The 19-year-old driver who allegedly struck Aubrielle was not injured in the crash, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. It is not clear whether the driver has been fined.

A GoFundMe has been set up to help the 9-year-old’s family with costs.