A four-year-old boy who is fighting for his life after a car slammed into him has been pictured as his family launch a fundraiser to help them through an ‘incredibly challenging time’.
Little Carlos Crane was left with life-changing injuries following the ‘devastating’ hit-and-run crash in Lawrence Weston, Bristol on Sunday, November 17.
The child remains at hospital in critical condition with his parents saying they have been ‘shaken to the core’ and had their world ‘turned upside down’.
Carlos’ family have set up a fundraiser to help them cover the ‘mounting’ costs of taxi fares to the hospital, Christmas presents and essentials for their other children.
Writing with ‘heavy hearts’ on the GoFundMe page the parents said: ‘Our sweet 4-year-old boy Carlos was recently involved in a devastating hit and run that has left him with life-changing injuries.
‘He is currently in the hospital receiving critical care, and while we are doing everything we can to stay strong for him, the road ahead is long and uncertain.
‘This accident has turned our world upside down and has shook the family to the core.’
‘As parents, we are juggling the emotional toll of supporting Carlos through his recovery while trying to keep life as stable as possible for our other children.
‘The costs of traveling to the hospital daily, providing food for the family, and essentials are mounting rapidly.
‘With Christmas round the corner and everyone out of work because of this tragic event we are worried about our children not getting the Christmas they deserve.’
Donations to support the family have flooded in and £3,300 of the £5,000 target has already been raised.
James Doherty, 18, on Tuesday admitted to causing serious injury to the four-year-old by dangerous driving as he appeared in Bristol Magistrates’ Court.
He fled the scene ‘on foot’ before officers arrested him later that afternoon.
Avon and Somerset Police said a BMW driven by Doherty left the road and collided with a boy and a woman aged in her late teens shortly before 2pm.
The woman, who sustained a leg injury in the smash, was taken to hospital but has since been discharged.
David Paniccia Brown, a serious collision investigator, told the court: ‘Doherty’s driving was utterly reckless and has left a very young boy in hospital with incredibly serious injuries.
‘His decision to drive in the manner he did put lives at risk and his decision to run away immediately after the collision in an attempt to avoid the consequences of his actions, rather than try and help, were cowardly.
‘Our thoughts remain with the boy’s family who have been updated on this development and continue to be supported by specially trained officers.
‘I’d like to thank all the officers involved in ensuring we were able to quickly put a strong case before the court and ensure this conviction.’
Doherty was remanded into custody ahead of his sentencing hearing at Bristol Crown Court on December 17.
Police said the incident had caused concern within the Lawrence Weston community, with officers carrying out additional reassurance patrols in the area since Sunday.
The force had previously been hunting for a blonde woman, described as white, who was understood to have been wearing a black puffer coat, blue jeans and light-colored shoes.
Avon and Somerset Police are describing the incident as ‘shocking’ and say it has ’caused concern’ in the area.