‘I didn’t know if my son was alive’: Mother speaks out after son injured in hit-and-run on way to school

CHATHAM COUNTY, Ga. (WTOC) - Thunderbolt Police are investigating a hit-and-run crash that injured a 14-year-old middle school student walking to school Tuesday morning.

Marion Roberts sustained minor injuries when he was struck along Sunset Boulevard, according to a statement by Savannah-Chatham County Public Schools. The student was able to walk to Sol C. Johnson High School for help after the crash.

Roberts was walking to Myers Middle School when the incident occurred, his mother Lakisha Robbins said. The school district said the principal accompanied Roberts to Memorial Hospital, where he was treated and released Tuesday.

Robbins, who works for the Department of Transportation for the Board of Education, said the crash traumatized her son and she wants the driver to come forward.

“I just didn’t know what was going through my head at the moment. I didn’t know if my son was alive,” Robbins said.

The impact was severe enough to send Roberts’ phone flying into a nearby drain, where it was later recovered. His mother said he is suffering from minor injuries to his head, stomach, hand, knee and back.

“He was right in the school zone, and he got hit. And car just kept going and had no remorse for running him over and left him there,” she said.

The incident has deeply affected Robbins, particularly after a family friend lost a 14-year-old in a similar crash last week.

“I just could imagine how she felt and that’s all that played in my head.. Was that kid getting hit. Same age as my son.. But he didn’t survive and I’m just blessed for mine to be here,” Robbins said.

Robbins urged the driver to take responsibility for the crash.

“He was hit so hard that his phone flew down here in his drain where they recovered his phone as well. So, whoever hit my son, I pray that you have a little bit of heart to turn yourself in to the police,” she said.

She also called for increased caution from drivers in school zones.

“Pay attention...If you hit somebody, be concerned enough to turn around and stop and do the right thing,” Robbins continued.

Roberts is expected to follow up with orthopedics for further treatment. Because the incident did not occur on campus, Thunderbolt Police are leading the investigation.

Anyone with information about the hit-and-run is urged to contact Thunderbolt Police at 912-354-3818.