Yoany Figueredo, a Cuban father, is devastated and pleading for a miracle for his daughter Stephanie, who was struck by a 92-year-old woman outside a pharmacy in Miami-Dade on Monday.
"She is the daughter everyone would have wanted, and she was taken from me," Yoany tearfully told Univision. The seven-year-old girl is in critical condition, suffering severe head injuries, a fractured pelvis, and multiple contusions.
The Cuban father explained that the attending doctor informed him that if Stephanie survives, she will face a lengthy recovery process. Stephanie, who will turn eight on September 21, is “disfigured and her head is very swollen.”
"She has no injuries on her body except for a fractured hip, but that is nothing compared to the rest. Her body is intact. Everything is in the head," said the distraught father, noting that his family was shattered upon seeing her condition.
The tragic accident occurred while mother and daughter were shopping together in preparation for the elder brother’s birthday celebration, which was on the same day. "She was holding her mother's hand, they were crossing the street, a car came, they stopped, the car passed, another car was far away, they kept crossing, and out of nowhere, the car that hit her appeared," Figueredo explained about the accident outside the Navarro Pharmacy located at 2120 Southwest 23rd Avenue in Coral Gables.
Stephanie is the youngest of four children of Yoany Figueredo but is her mother's only child, who sustained minor injuries in the incident.
The father called on families to set limits for elderly drivers. "We need to be aware of this type of situation—older people driving who have lived their whole lives and are now endangering the community, in the worst cases causing accidents like this one," said Figueredo.
Yoany, who works as a teacher, appealed for community support to cover medical expenses. The family has started a GoFundMe campaign that has raised over $22,000 in just 24 hours, with a goal of $30,000.
The 92-year-old driver, who remained at the scene and whose identity has not been disclosed, was cited by authorities for negligent driving but is not expected to face criminal charges.
Key Questions About the Tragic Accident Involving Stephanie Figueredo
In light of this heart-wrenching incident, several questions arise regarding the circumstances and implications. Here are some key questions and answers that provide more context and information.
What are Stephanie's current medical conditions?
Stephanie is in critical condition with severe head injuries, a fractured pelvis, and multiple contusions. Her recovery process is expected to be lengthy.
Where did the accident take place?
The accident occurred outside Navarro Pharmacy located at 2120 Southwest 23rd Avenue in Coral Gables.
What actions have been taken against the elderly driver?
The 92-year-old driver was cited for negligent driving but is not expected to face criminal charges.
How can the community support Stephanie's family?
The family has set up a GoFundMe campaign to help cover medical expenses, which has raised over $22,000 so far.