A Wheeler High School student who was critically injured when he was hit by a car in the crosswalk in front of the school on March 9 is still in the hospital, and will be in rehabilitation after that.
His family is asking for the public’s help to help pay for medical and other expenses as his parents take time off from work to care for him.
Malik Spellman, a varsity basketball player for the Wildcats, was one of two Wheeler students hit around 7 p.m. on March 9 as they were transporting weight room equipment across Holt Road.
The boys were struck by a black Mercedes driven by Nancy Valentine, 73, of Marietta, according to Cobb Police, who have not yet pressed any charges.
UPDATED, March 21, 3 P.M.:
Cobb Police spokesman Neil Penirelli said traffic citations have been issued to Valentine for failure to yield to pedestrians in a crosswalk and failure to use due regard to avoid pedestrians.
ORIGINAL REPORT CONTINUES:
According to an online fundraising note posted by Marquis Wright, Spellman’s stepfather, more than $7,500 of a requested $25,000 has been raised thus far. Spellman is still at Scottish Rite Children’s Hospital, Wright said, and he will need physical as well as psychological therapy.
Police said initially that the student later identified as Spellman was facing life-threatening injuries and that the other boy, who has not been identified, was facing serious injuries. They were both taken to WellStar Kennestone Hospital from the accident scene, police said.
Wright said he was making the fundraising appeal after being “instructed by our lawyer just in case the person who hit my son’s insurance doesn’t cover his medical expenses.”
East Cobb Middle School officials said they’ve heard that “some of our families are interested in how they can help” Spellman’s family, and on a social media posting included the GoFundMe link.
“He is progressing well, but still expected to be in a rehab facility for the next 3-4 weeks,” the school message said, referring to Spellman.
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