Father of 7-year-old hit by elderly driver in Miami parking lot says daughter is fighting for her life – WSVN 7News | Miami News, Weather, Sports

MIAMI (WSVN) – The family of a 7-year-old girl fighting for her life after being hit by a car in a horrific parking lot accident is asking the public for help.

Miami police said that on September 2, a 92-year-old woman accidentally struck a 7-year-old girl while trying to park her red Nissan Rogue at the Navarro Discount Pharmacy, near the corner of Southwest 22nd Street and 32nd Avenue.

The 7-year-old girl was identified as Stephanie Figueredo and was leaving the pharmacy with her mother. While parking, the older woman accidentally accelerated while braking, drove over the sidewalk and struck Stephanie.

“My daughter was on the sidewalk and police say the car appeared out of nowhere,” said Joany Figueredo, Stephanie's father.

Joany learned the horrific details of the accident when Stephanie was thrown backwards by the force of the impact and suffered serious injuries.

“She stole the car from her mother,” he said.

Stephanie was taken to Jackson Memorial Hospital where she remains in critical condition.

“My daughter is in critical condition and is in an artificial coma,” said Joany.

Stephanie's father told 7News she was looking forward to her eighth birthday, but now the family says she has a long road to recovery ahead of her.

“If she survives the recovery, it's a long, long process,” Joany said. “We don't know how long, and we need help.”

Joany has been at his daughter’s side since the accident.

“We are waiting for the doctors to meet me and her mother,” Joany said.

While Stephanie fights for her life, Joany wants to raise awareness about the fears older people have about getting behind the wheel.

“I want to raise awareness that it is dangerous for older people to drive. Someone has to do something,” he said. “It was a ticket, it was an accident.”

The family has set up a GoFundMe campaign to ask the public for help with the medical bills. If you would like to donate, click here.

The police said they had summoned the elderly lady, but no arrests had been made.

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