A seven-year-old boy who was struck by a van while riding his bike outside a Miramar home is lucky to be alive. Jayden MacFarlane lay in a hospital bed at the Joe Dimaggio Children’s Hospital recovering from his injuries. He’s able to utter a few words. “Hi, everybody,” little Jayden says as he waves to the camera. "I feel ok."
Even though his pain is visible, hit mother, Felissa MacFarlane, says the seven-year-old has made progress. "He's eating, drinking; not walking around much because of the injury to his ankle is swollen, but he's doing much better thankfully," said MacFarlane.
Jayden's mom hasn't left the hospital since Sunday. That’s when she got the call that her son had by been hit by a van near their home on Tropicana Street.
Surveillance cameras show the green van hitting Jayden. Police say the driver never stopped. "I come here and I see him laying there. Not responding to me, not even blinking, looking, nothing. He's never been a sick kid and to see him like that just broke my heart into a million pieces,” said MacFarlane.
She says Jayden has a fractured collarbone, bruised heart, minor bleeding in the brain and a concussion. But, amazingly, he'll recover. "Today was better than Sunday and Monday but you know, one day at a time but we'll get through it."
Miramar Police tell NBC 6 the owner of the van came forward Monday after police released a picture of the van. Investigators now say the owner has hired a lawyer and is no longer talking to detectives. It's still unclear who is responsible for the hit and run.
"Own up to your responsibility and just take your responsibility because you left my kid there like garbage," pleads MacFarlane.
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The mother hoped Jayden would be home for Thanksgiving, but now she's not so sure. However, she’s just thankful he'll be alright. “We do have a lot to be thankful for, especially this Thanksgiving because he is ok. It could've been worse than what it is."
