Estimated read time: 2-3 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
WEST VALLEY CITY -- A complete stranger came to the aid of a Kearns family whose children were hit by a car earlier this week.
The children -- 9-year-old Stephen and 7-year-old Tasha Pio -- were struck by an SUV Tuesday while attempting to cross the street near 4700 South and 4100 West in Kearns. The siblings were on their way home from David Gourley Elementary School.
Both children suffered broken bones and head injuries and are receiving treatment at Primary Children's Medical Center.
It's been a really rough ride and when people step up and show the potential of what this world is really supposed to be about it's an awesome feeling.
–Gerald Karrick
An Arizona man heard their story and decided he had to help. He organized a series of car washes to raise money for the children's medical expenses.
The children's future stepfather, Gerald Karrick, attended the car wash in West Valley City Saturday. With pictures of Stephen and Tasha in hand, he spoke of the responsibility he felt to be at the event to show donors his appreciation.
"It's very overwhelming," he said.
Karrick says Tasha has been upgraded from critical condition and that she's moving around and eating. Stephen, however, remains in a coma. Doctors are waiting to see if he sustained brain damage.
"They're going to be alright," he said. "I know in my heart, they're going to be alright."
Their family says the two are exceptionally close and believe Stephen placed himself between Tasha and the car that hit them in an attempt to protect her.
"It's been a really rough ride and when people step up and show the potential of what this world is really supposed to be about it's an awesome feeling," said Karrick.
There's no word on how long Stephen and Tasha will be in the hospital -- making every car washed Saturday that much more important to their recovery.
The West Valley City car wash was one of several in Salt Lake and Utah Counties -- the result of the Arizona Good Samaritan who reached out to the family through the police department.
Family members say besides the car wash fundraisers they've received an outpouring of support from the community -- balloons, food and messages of support have poured into their homes. They say many of the messages and gifts are from people they don't know.
The children's stepgrandmother is also planning on attending a school community council meeting to push for an overhead walkway in the area. The kids normally ride the bus home from school, but for some unknown reason they did not the day of the crash.
The bus was waiting for them at the school when they were hit.
E-mail: sdallof@ksl.com
