Jacksonville teen sent to hospital after hit-and-run in front of home

A 13-year-old girl is in the hospital after being hit by a car in near Old St. Augustine Road in Jacksonville.

Her mom is now pleading with the community to help find the driver.

Action News spoke to the girl’s mom, who witnessed her daughter almost die right before her eyes.

“It was a normal night and then that was so not normal,” said Donna Griffin, mom to 13-year-old Brianna Neal, who was hit by a car.

Girffin explained that she, her brother, and her kids were outside their mom’s house on Agatite Road.  They were getting ready to leave.

“The most horrific sound I’ve ever heard then to glance up and see my child literally flying through the air,” said Griffin.

Brianna had been riding her skateboard.

“I thought she was dead,” said Griffin.

Griffin’s uncle, Todd Griffin, was the first one to get to Brianna.

The impact from the car threw Brianna’s body near the mailbox in the yard.

“I ran straight to her and she was unconscious. I stabilized her head and she wasn’t breathing. The car that hit her kept going,” said Brianna’s uncle.

“By then I’m under the street light waving my arms screaming at the top of my lungs in the middle of the road. They hit their brakes there’s no way they didn’t see me,” said Griffin.

Griffin posted on Facebook asking for help finding the person who left her daughter for dead. The post now has more than 2,700 shares.

The car is described as a 4-door silver or gray smaller SUV.

It will likely have damage to the front passenger side.

The car was coming from Julington Creek headed toward Old St. Augustine Road.

“I wanna know why - I really do? They know that they hit something,” said Griffin.

Griffin said Brianna is in good spirits despite her injuries - she suffered a concussion, bumps and scrapes, but thankfully she’ll also get to celebrate her 14th birthday Tuesday, Jan. 23.

“I’m just thankful that she’s here for her birthday,” said Griffin.

The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office is asking if you have any information that could police find the car and the driver to contact them at 904-630-0500 or email us at JSOCrimeTips@jaxsheriff.org.

Cox Media Group