Police are investigating after the students were hit by a truck while walking to a school bus stop in Dallas.
DALLAS, Texas — Two 12-year-old Plano ISD students remain hospitalized at Children’s Medical Center Dallas after being hit by a truck while walking to a school bus stop last Friday morning, according to Dallas police.
Police say the crash happened around 7:40 a.m. on Dec. 12 in the 4100 block of Horizon North Parkway. A vehicle struck the two juveniles, and both were taken to Children’s. The driver remained at the scene. No charges have been announced as of Monday, and the investigation is ongoing, police said.
One of the girls, Ziyah Sawyer, suffered multiple serious injuries, according to her mother, Leviticus Garner. The second girl, identified by Garner as Elizah and Ziyah’s friend, was also injured, and both have required surgery.
“They were walking across the street,” Garner said. “They looked both ways, holding hands together.”
Garner said Ziyah does not remember the crash or even leaving for school that morning. Elizah, she said, remembers the moments just before impact.
“My daughter doesn’t remember anything,” Garner said. “She doesn’t remember leaving home, going to school. She doesn’t remember the accident.”
According to Garner, Ziyah suffered fractures to her arm and leg, a concussion, and a severe spleen injury that required a blood transfusion and intensive care monitoring. Elizah also suffered multiple fractures in the hip and shoulder and a spleen injury.
Both were also thrown from where they were hit, Garner added.
“Lucky they’re alive,” Garner said. “I thank the Lord that they’re alive.”
Garner said police have not yet provided her with details about what led up to the crash. She said that uncertainty has been one of the most difficult parts of the past several days.
“We just want to know what happened,” she said. “Why did it happen? Why didn’t you stop in enough time not to hit them?”
Garner said her 16-year-old son witnessed his sister lying injured in the street after the crash, adding another layer of trauma for the family.
As the investigation continues, both families are now facing mounting medical expenses, time off work, and a holiday season spent largely inside the hospital. Garner said she and Elizah’s mother, Mary, have started raising money to help cover hospital bills and Christmas gifts for the girls.
You can help Ziyah by clicking here. You can help Elizah by clicking here.
“This Christmas is going to look very different,” Garner said, who just moved to the Lone Star State. “We were excited about our kids having their first Christmas in Texas.”
Garner said her family recently moved from California and that relatives have since traveled to North Texas to help support her during her daughter’s recovery. Despite the anger and pain surrounding the crash, Garner said she is focused on healing and recovery. “I’m angry at the situation,” she said.