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63 °F Forecast | Road Cams Wednesday, May 5, 2004 Today's News | Classifieds | Autos | Homes | Jobs | Tempo | Health | Community | Home Delivery SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion - Politics AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map EXTRA Newspaper in Education Personals Movie Times TV Times E The People CLASSIFIEDS Find a Car Find a Home Find a Job Find a Rental Place an ad eSouthernOregon Automotive Communities Entertainment Publications Recreation Calendar CUSTOMER SERVICE Frequent Questions Advertising Information Home Delivery Employment Contact Us Media Kit Network Affiliate Email Story to a Friend April 28, 2004 Dezzira Hammon, 15, was hit and knocked unconscious Sunday night by a black or dark blue lifted Dodge Ram truck while riding her bike across Pine Street at 10th Street. Witnesses said the driver ran a red light. Mail Tribune / Bob Pennell Police seek hit-and-run motorist Teenage girl struck by big black pickup truck recalls seeing the driver look at her, then speed away By JACK MORAN Mail Tribune CENTRAL POINT — The Dodge Ram pickup that slammed into 15-year-old Dezzira Hammon while she rode her bicycle across a busy intersection Sunday night was dark — of that much, she’s certain. Dezzira (pronounced like "Desiree") would have gotten the driver’s name, had he not sped away from the accident scene just moments after his lifted pickup sent the 15-year-old crashing to the pavement in a crosswalk at the intersection of Tenth and Pine streets. Witnesses told police the driver ran a red light. "He hit me, and it knocked me out," said Dezzira, who moved slowly and was still wearing a neck brace Tuesday. "I was out for about a minute." When she came to, Dezzira looked up the road and caught a glimpse of the large truck. At that moment, the driver stomped on the gas pedal and headed for Interstate 5, she recalled. "As soon as I woke up, I saw him take off," Dezzira said. "He just left." Advertisement With help from a friend who managed to jump off the bike about a second before impact, Dezzira was able to get to her feet. She walked about half a block, then decided to lay down on the sidewalk. "It was hard to breathe, and it was like I was in shock," Dezzira said. "I couldn’t tell where, it just hurt." Emergency workers arrived and took Dezzira by ambulance to Providence Medford Medical Center, where she was treated for extensive bruising and cuts suffered in the wreck. Her friend, who was balanced on the bike’s axle "pegs" before the collision, was not injured. Witnesses who got a better look at the pickup told Central Point police it was black. Police are still investigating the 9:15 p.m. wreck, but learned from witnesses that the driver of the pickup failed to stop at a red light just before running into Dezzira, a police spokeswoman said Tuesday. Dezzira’s mother, Teresa Nelli, is not confident police will crack the case, considering the lack of detailed information about the pickup. Nelli said an officer told her the chance of locating the driver "is going to be like winning the lottery." Her concern for Dezzira is offset by the anger she feels for the man who fled the accident. "I want to see him reprimanded for hitting a child and then leaving," Nelli said. "I also want help paying these doctor bills and the ambulance ride. Even if it wasn’t my kid, I think I’d be fighting just as hard for this." Dezzira has already missed two days of school and is likely to miss more. Her mother doesn’t mind tending to her, and recognizes the outcome could have been much worse. "She’s got a lot of bruising and road rash," Nelli said. "But she actually came out of it really well. That’s the most important thing." Reach reporter Jack Moran at 776-4459, or e-mail [email protected] Mail Tribune Home Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life Opinion - Politics | AP News | Archives | Site Map E Southern Oregon | Classified Copyright © 1997-2004 Mail Tribune. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions Website Feedback 3 WEEKS FREE! ADVERTISERS A D V E R T I S E R S RESOURCES Oregon Road Conditions & Cams SPECIAL SECTIONS Auto Finder Job Finder Home Finder Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Tempo Readers' Choice Real Estate Showcase Since We Asked Food for Thought Wellness Connection Outdoor Journal Moving to Southern Oregon? Volunteer Opportunities Prime Times