AQUILLA, TX — An 11-year-old girl hit by a car last Monday in Aquilla is still in the hospital.
The girl was hit by a Jeep while crossing FM 933. She was taken to Cook Children's Hospital in Fort Worth in critical condition.
A family friend identified the girl as Kendall. She said the family doesn't want to release their daughter's last name or the extent of her injuries at this time.
Jenn McCutchan's daughter, 11-year-old Ashlyn, is friends with Kendall. McCutchan said Kendall is out of the ICU and is breathing on her own. She has a broken leg, broken pelvis and other injuries.
McCutchan said her daughter was crushed to hear what happened to her friend.
"She went to her room and wanted to be alone for a couple of hours," McCutchan said.
"To hear it, it was like a piece of me just fell away," Ashlyn said. "She's always there if you need her, just a really great friend."
Elaina Williams, 11, said Kendall is as sweet and funny as they come.
"It just broke my heart to hear the news," Elaina said. "She's an awesome friend. Every time I've needed her, she's been there."
Kendall, Elaina and Ashlyn are going into the sixth grade. The three of them just made the junior high cheer squad.
The junior high cheer team made dozens of cards and signs to lift Kendall's spirits. The cheer coach is dropping them off at the hospital tomorrow.
Aquilla ISD also set up a fundraiser in Kendall's name. In just a few days, the district has raised more than $1,000.
"Being a small town, when tragedy strikes like this, everybody wants to wrap their arms around the individual," Superintendent Dr. David Edison said.
McCutchan said this is what Aquilla is all about, a community made up of just 109 people, they stick together.
"I am very proud to be a part of this town," McCutchan said. "When something happens to one of us, it kind of happens to all of us."
Kendall isn't taking visitors at this time, but her friends hope to see her soon.
"I'm just glad she's doing a whole lot better than she was before," Ashlyn said.
Donations can be dropped off a the Aquilla ISD administrative office located at 404 N Richards, Aquilla, TX 76622. Donations will be accepted Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to noon.
Natalie's Flower Shop in Hillsboro is also accepting donations to help cover Kendall's medical bills.
