9 year old hit and run victim talks

PHILADELPHIA - May 28, 2011

Action News spoke exclusively to the most seriously injured child; a little boy who is, thankfully, on the road to recovery.

Like many nine year olds, Andre Clarke enjoys watching the Saturday morning cartoons, but it's about all he can do. Playing outside is not an option.

"I want to get back to walking and playing with my friends again," said Andre.

On May 7th, Andre was attending a block party in the 2600 block of Myrtlewood Street in North Philadelphia when a car barreled through striking several children and plowing into a moon bounce.

Andre was the most seriously hurt, suffering multiple injuries including 10 broken ribs and head trauma.

"I can't remember when I woke up or anything, but I can just remember getting to the hospital and that I was in so much pain," Andre said.

"it happened the day before Mother's Day," said Andre's mother, Kelly Justiniano. "The next day, Andre calls for me, and the first thing he says to me was, 'Happy Mother's Day', and I knew then that mentally, he was there."

The driver, 54 year old Alton Parker, kept on driving and was finally stopped by an off-duty officer who forced Parker's car into a building.

Police say he was swinging an ax, and he was high on PCP.

"I believe that people have second chances and they deserved that, but this creature, this demon, he left my kid to die," said Kelly.

Andre just got out of a rehabilitation hospital on Friday, and spoke to Action News exclusively. He wanted to thank everyone who was pulling for him to get better.

"I just wanted to say thank you for everybody's prayers and support because the prayers really helped me to get to my goal," Andre said.

Andre's neck brace should come off in a month or two. He says he can't wait to get back outside to play with his friends, and of course to get back to school in September when he will be in the 4th grade.

Copyright © 2024 WPVI-TV. All Rights Reserved.