Father to driver who hit teen son: 'Why didn't you just stop?'

Daniel Sarama, 17, recovering in hospital more than 2 weeks after crash

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – More than two weeks after he was struck by a driver who police say was trying to get away from a traffic stop, a 17-year-old remains in the hospital Thursday.

According to police, Marion Walker came speeding down 103rd Street May 22, fleeing a Florida Highway Patrol trooper, and hit Daniel Sarama as he walked down the sidewalk. Police said Walker then crashed into a car and a tree and tried to run away, throwing 2 kilograms of cocaine into a pond.

Sarama has been at UF Health for the last 18 days, and his father said most of that time has been spent fighting for his life in a hospital bed as he recovers from multiple surgeries.

Charles Sarama is outraged and said his son's life has been shattered.

“Why didn't you just stop? You had every opportunity to stop several times, and you chose not to, and now you've ruined a child's life forever,” Charles Sarama said.

He said his son was walking to work when he was hit by Walker's car. Police caught Walker but Sarama was left with a long list of injuries.

“He's got one leg that was almost severed. He's got another leg that was broken in four places. He injured his liver, injured his spleen, tore the aorta in his heart, and he had to have heart surgery and his arm is broke,” Charles Sarama said, cataloging his son's injuries.

Sarama doesn't remember the crash. He is stable but can barely walk, and his dream of joining the Marines is delayed. His new focus is on recovering.

Charles Sarama said he is grateful his son is alive. He said the doctors told him Daniel's youth helped save him.
“Young kids like that, they are pretty resilient,” he said.

Charles Sarama said his son will have months of rehabilitation, but his family is worried about the medical bills that have already piled up. They have set up a GoFundMe page to help cover the costs.

Walker is facing several charges, with a minimum of 15 years in prison just for the cocaine possession, if he's convicted.


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