Hilton Head student’s condition stabilized but surgery expected after struck by car

A 13-year old Hilton Head Middle School student struck by a car Thursday is out of ICU but still has a long road to recovery, according to an email from school officials Saturday.

Jim Foster, district director of communications, said the student suffered internal damage to her liver and right lung along with broken bones in her right leg and pelvis.

The internal damages have stabilized, Foster said via email. He said the pelvis fractures will not require surgery either.

A surgery to set breaks in the girl’s right leg is expected to occur Sunday.

A 2000 Isuzu SUV struck the student when turning left from Wilburn road onto School Road Thursday afternoon, police previously said. They have also said charges are not expected in the incident.

The student was airlifted to Memorial University Medical Center where she initially was kept in ICU. She has since been moved to a regular hospital room, Foster said.

“The student has received more than 100 cards from her classmates and well-wishers, including a special card that featured a Christmas tree formed by the thumbprints of all of the third-graders at Hilton Head Island Elementary,” Foster said. “The student and her family say they really appreciate all of the prayers made on her behalf.”

When contacted by The Island Packet, the student’s family requested that her identity be withheld and declined to comment until the investigation into the crash is complete.

Foster said Saturday the family did give the district permission to share details about the status of the student.

This story was originally published December 16, 2017 at 12:49 PM with the headline "Hilton Head student’s condition stabilized but surgery expected after struck by car."