Mom of Lincoln 9-year-old hit by deputy says injuries are severe
LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) – The mother of a 9-year-old bicyclist hit by a vehicle says she doesn’t know what’s going to happen to her.
According to the Lincoln Police Department, the crash happened around 8 p.m. on Wednesday, when Chief Deputy Ben Houchin of the Lancaster County Sheriff’s office hit the girl in his personal vehicle.
Police say the girl was taken to a hospital with injuries that were not life-threatening.
But her mother, Tiarrah Moton, said the family is taking it day by day.
“Today is a pretty bad day,” she said. “Her dad just texted me and said she has a fracture in her shoulders, she has a pretty bad concussion, and she has brain bleed and skull fractures.”
Moton said doctors are also worried about air getting into the fractures and causing swelling in her brain.
And Moton is disappointed in law enforcement’s response to the situation.
“I don’t feel like with him having the badge that he has, that he did what he should of,” she said. “So I’m just really disappointed, and I don’t feel like, at this point, that things are going to be done the right way for my daughter.”
In a statement, the sheriff’s office said the chief deputy did stop and render aid after the crash.
Sheriff Terry Wagner said it’s been difficult for Houchin, who has children of his own.
Both the sheriff’s office and LPD have said he is cooperating with the investigation.
Wagner also said in the statement that although Houchin looked down to change the station on the radio, “there were no driver actions that contributed to the crash.”
No citations have been issued at this time.
Moton said that the neighborhood is usually pretty safe and that her kids will often play outside.
She said she was at a loss for words after the crash, and she wishes there was more she could do to help.
“I just want to be able to see my child smile like she does any other time and just be happy and be herself,” Moton said.
