PLANO, Texas — Watching a child get hurt is one of the hardest things anyone can face — and this week, it happened twice in Plano.
An 8-year-old child was injured in an alleyway on Sunday, followed by a 13-year-old girl being struck while walking to school on Tuesday.
In the first incident, the driver stayed at the scene and met with the family. The family told WFAA they would not be filing any charges in the incident.
The second incident, captured on video by a family that chose to remain anonymous, is under investigation as a hit-and-run.
"If they had just stopped, rendered aid, talked to the girl, called police, talked to the parents, then it wouldn't have been such a big deal," said a representative of the family that shared the video of the accident with WFAA.
The 13-year-old was hit at the intersection of Westridge and Wilson Drive. The family tells WFAA that instead of returning home, the teenager went directly to Wilson Middle School to report the incident to a school resource officer.
Plano Police are actively pursuing leads, but the driver responsible has yet to be identified. Officer Jennifer Chapman emphasized the seriousness of leaving the scene of an accident.
“If you leave the scene you don’t get to tell your side of the story or make sure another person is okay," Chapman said.
Chapman tells WFAA that because the driver of the dark-colored SUV left the scene they may face charges of failure to render aid which is punishable by up to two to ten years, including fines.
"My sister is ok. The speeding isn't really a problem in the area, but it's actually those who don't pay attention," the brother of the victim told WFAA.
The family tells WFAA the 13-year-old is not physically hurt, but definitely '"shaken up."
Fortunately, both children involved in the incidents are safe. However, their families are well aware that the outcome could have been much worse.
Plano Police is asking for the public's help to identify the driver involved.