Great Falls Area News

Montana girl remains in Seattle hospital after being hit by vehicle

Posted: Oct 4, 2012 9:03 AM by David Sherman - MTN News

GREAT FALLS - Makayla Brown, the 8-year old girl who was hit by a vehicle in Great Falls on Sunday, remains in a Seattle hospital.

Makayla's aunt, Chelleay Treichel, says that her niece is still listed in critical condition.

Chelleay says that doctors had to remove Makayla's spleen, and a fracture in her skull has caused brain swelling. She also says that Makayla remains in a medically-induced coma with a constant flow of pain medicine to make sure she is comfortable.

She adds that family very much appreciates the outpouring of support from the community.

Many viewers have have asked how they can help the family.

Makayla's family has created a donation page that reads:

Makayla is an eight-year-old girl who was hit by a vehicle on Sunday morning after leaving her church bus. She has many life threatening injuries, including fractures to her skull, broken pelvic bones, and internal bleeding. Due to her severe injuries, she has been airlifted to a hospital far from her home, putting her far from her family and friends. Her two sisters and brother are home, without their parents, being cared for by friends.

Makayla needs her family to be able to visit, but the cost of travel is high. Her medical expenses are skyrocketing. Her parents are emotionally exhausted and need your help to cover medical and travel expenses - will you please help Makayla and her family stay together and help her heal?

Here is the link to the Give Forward page, titled "Miracles For Makayla."

There is also a Caring Bridge page set up for Makayla and her family.

The driver of the vehicle that struck Makayla will not be held responsible for the collision; Great Falls police say the whole event was an unfortunate accident.

Officers tell us the driver of the Durango did not violate any traffic laws and was under the speed limit at the time of the crash.