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SALT LAKE CITY — A 7-year-old St. George girl, Emery Burrows, was hit by a pickup truck on Sunday and suffered serious injuries. As of Tuesday, she is not yet in the clear but she is breathing on her own.
Kate Story, Emery's aunt, is at a Las Vegas hospital with Emery and her mom. Emery was flown by a medical helicopter on Sunday night after she was hit.
Her family says she and her brother were playing soccer in the front yard around dusk when the ball went into the road. They say Emery waited for one car to pass but didn't see a truck coming the other way.
That driver, a neighbor who lives nearby, didn't see Emery either.
"It was one of those things where it's like, 'Oh, it's not really Emery's fault. It's definitely not this guy's fault,'" Story said. "It's just a tragedy."
Pictures on the family's GoFundMe* page show Emery in a hospital bed. The page was set up to help the family pay for the medical expenses. They also ask in their post for prayers for their neighbor who was driving the truck.
Emery suffered a cracked skull, brain bleed and tibia fracture. Despite the intensely difficult injuries, Story said Emery is making incredible progress.
"She's doing remarkable for what her little body, the trauma that it has endured," Story said. A chain and screws are holding Emery's injured leg together, she said, and her brain bleed and swelling are going down.
The family credits the hospital staff and prayer.
"We've just received an outpouring of love and support (that) meant the world to us," said Story. "And Emery is gonna get better and she's gonna get through this."
We've just been so blessed with the outpouring of love and, and Emery is very fierce. So if anybody can get through this, it's her.
–Kate Story, Emery’s aunt
Story said Emery is a spitfire and a dancer. She said despite Emery's small stature, she is full of energy and a great soccer player. Even though they know they have a long road ahead, family members say they can feel the support from those around them.
"Everyone always says you take it a day at a time. And I'm like, no, no, no, you take it a moment at a time because that's the world we live in," Story said.
While they face the unknowns, they are grateful for those rallying around them.
"We can't stop crying. It's been so emotional. We've just been so blessed with the outpouring of love and, and Emery is very fierce," Story said. "So if anybody can get through this, it's her."
*KSL.com does not assure that the money deposited to the account will be applied for the benefit of the persons named as beneficiaries. If you are considering a deposit to the account, you should consult your own advisers and otherwise proceed at your own risk.
