By Darren Smith, Weekend Contributor
A nine-year-old Moses Lake, Washington boy who fell victim to a hit and run driver found some new friends in the city police department.
Last Tuesday Christian Brokke was walking his bicycle in a crosswalk when he was allegedly struck by a 2004 Ford Escape driven by Suzette Brown. Brown reportedly ran a stop sign and struck the boy with enough force to tear the license plate from the vehicle.
Witnesses to the collision reported that Christian remained sprawled on the hood of the car while Brown attempted to flee the scene, falling to the street after fifteen to thirty feet. She then dragged the bicycle under the car for a block before leaving the area.
EMS transported Christian to a local hospital. He suffered head trauma and was later transferred to Sacred Heart Medical center in Spokane for additional treatment.
Fortunately, Christian recovered from his injuries. Officers from Moses Lake decided to go a step further than simply investigating the collision and together bought Christian a new helmet and something every nine-year-old boy wants–a new bicycle.
Christian is lucky to have survived the collision. Investigators believe wearing a helmet probably saved him from a severe traumatic brain injury or even death. He returned home recently and was presented his new bicycle by the police.
With the aid witnesses and Ms. Brown reportedly leaving her calling card, the license plate, police arrested her later that day, charging her with Felony Hit and Run. As a nice touch, police added an additional charge of Tampering With Physical Evidence.
Kudos to Moses Lake for doing the right thing. Christian is doing well and undoubtedly looking forward to summer fun.
By Darren Smith
Sources:
Columbia Basin Herald
Moses Lake Police Department
The views expressed in this posting are the author’s alone and not those of the blog, the host, or other weekend bloggers. As an open forum, weekend bloggers post independently without pre-approval or review. Content and any displays or art are solely their decision and responsibility.