Lubbock Resident Kim Martin was still in the hospital Wednesday after being struck by a vehicle during a fireworks show Saturday night.
Martin, her boyfriend Kevin Jones and her son Brock were parked off of Martin Luther King Boulevard to watch fireworks on Independence Day, when she was struck by a young driver going by.
According to the Department of Public Safety, Austin Neal Christian, 23, was driving southbound down MLK when he struck Martin. They said Christian pulled over and waited for law enforcement to arrive at which point he was arrested and charged with a DWI.
“I saw a light coming over my shoulder.” Martin’s boyfriend Kevin Jones said. ” When I looked over, he was right on top of us…then he hit her.”
Jones said that he and Martin’s son rushed to help Martin, but initially thought the worst.
“It was very surreal.” He said” Kind of like being in a bad movie. I thought she had died at first.”
Jones said that Martin was rushed to the hospital with severe damage to her pelvis. According to him, she has been working to move forward.
“It was a very long and hard three days before she got in to the surgery.” He said. “She’s out of surgery now and in the I-C-U. It’s going to take a long time, but we’re hoping everything get’s back to normal one day.”
Martin’s coworkers and friends have put together multiple fundraising sites including a fundraiser selling candles to try and help Martin pay for her hospital bills.
That site can be found be CLICKING HERE.
Coworker Jennifer Byrd said that they instantly knew that they had to help Martin.
“She’s just one of those people you take an instant love to.” She said. “We know that she will have some obviously long term expenses…but her living situation will also have to change. “
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