9-year-old girl thrown 50 feet into air when car hits her, her mother says

COLUMBIA COUNTY, Fla. (WJAX) - A Florida mother is speaking out about pedestrian safety after her 9-year-old daughter was hit by a car and critically injured while trying to get to her school bus.

Aubrielle Jenkins was hit by a car while walking to her school bus early Thursday morning in Lake City. Her mother, Tiara Thomas, says the 9-year-old was critically injured after being thrown up to 50 feet into the air then rushed to Shands UF Hospital in Gainesville.

"It just isn't right. My daughter has sustained life-changing injuries," Thomas said. "We are looking at possible amputation of her little foot... because the arteries were damaged so bad that if it stops doing what it needs to do as far as blood flow, then they are going to have to take it."

Aubrielle was just released from the hospital after undergoing surgery for her injuries, but her mother says the emotional toll from the incident is far from over.

"I'm standing here talking to y'all, and I swear to God, I'm seeing my baby be hit time and time again," Thomas said.

She says Aubrielle's bus driver helped her after she was hit. The 9-year-old suffered serious injuries to her head and leg.

"So, when he's doing CPR on her... [it was quiet] until she started back breathing," Thomas said.

Through the pain of her daughter's injuries, Thomas is calling for greater awareness about pedestrian safety.

"The speed limit is 50 miles per [hour] Why? These are babies going to school. Y'all got to stop. Y'all have to be better and pay attention to your surroundings, man. Y'all are killing these kids," she said.

The 19-year-old driver who allegedly hit Aubrielle was not injured in the crash, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. It's not clear if the driver was charged.

A GoFundMe has been set up to help the 9-year-old's family with expenses.