11-year-old Vito Johnson on the mend after hit-and-run crash in Jacksonville

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — The 11-year-old boy who was seriously injured in a hit-and-run just this month is finally awake.

Action News Jax first told you when Vito Johnson was biking home with his friends Feb. 4, when two cars chasing each other raced up behind them.

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One of the cars hit Vito and drove off.

A new video of Vito shows signs of progress. As of this week, he is walking around the hospital and communicating with staff and family.

His family knows he still has a long way to go.

“He’s doing wonderful as of today, just looking at him is a miracle,” Vito’s great-grandaunt Janice Williams said.

Vito has spent the last couple of weeks at UF Health.

He was in a medically-induced coma after the accident, the Friday before his 11th birthday.

Instead of going to a basketball game, Vito went into brain surgery.

“It was all about prayer,” Williams said.

After suffering a fractured skull and spine, he is finally on the mend.

However, the driver of the car that hit Vito is still at-large.

Williams said they’re still looking for justice.

“We just want JSO (Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office) to just help us. We know they have other cases, but this ‘somebody’ thinks they got away with something,” Williams said.

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JSO said officers have not located the car involved and it’s still an active investigation.

In the meantime, family and friends are surrounding Vito with love and support as he makes progress each day.

“He’s been able to talk and recognize people and give hand signals,” Williams said.

This Saturday, the family invites community members out to the Vito Strong March.

It starts at 10 a.m. at the Police Athletic League on Franklin Street.

Williams said folks will be looking to get the word out about Vito and shed light on the investigation.

Vito may head to Orlando for rehab, but Williams said the family would like to keep him local.

There is a GoFundMe set up for Vito. You can find it here.

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11-year-old injured in hit-and-run The 11-year-old boy who was seriously injured in a hit and run just this month is finally awake!

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