Heber teen hit in a crosswalk gets warm welcome home

HEBER, Utah — There was a warm homecoming Wednesday for a teen from Heber who was hit by a car in a crosswalk in late September.

Ava’s Saunders was welcomed home from Primary Children’s Hospital by a police escort from several agencies including Park City Police Department.

The Wasatch High School Cheer team was lining her driveway when she arrived. Fourteen-year-old Ava is on the team.

Ava was hit by a car back on Sept. 27th as she tried to cross main street in Heber. She was in the ICU until October 17.

 

Heber teen in ICU after being hit at new crosswalk

She suffered a broken pelvis, and right leg femur fracture. She also had a traumatic brain injury.

Her mom, Marie Saunders, said doctors didn’t expect her to make the progress she has.

“Where she came from and where is now is truly a miracle,” Marie Saunders said.

But now she’s walking with the help of a walker. Her parents say she’ll need to maintain “two feet on the ground,” meaning no jumping – or cheering – for a year.

“She loves cheer and so she will be two feet on the ground until doctors clear her so that is going to the hardest part of the journey for her,” Marie Saunders said.

“She already wants to get right back to flipping and twisting and we’re going to need all their help to make sure we keep her safe,” Matt Saunders, Ava’s dad, said.

There’s more! Please read Lindsay Aerts’ complete story at KSLTV.com