AUSTIN -- The victim in a devastating hit and run in downtown Austin last Friday is making steps toward recovery.
Although on paralytics still, Kylie Doniak's family says she opened her eyes. Doniak remains in a medically-induced coma at UMC Brackenridge, recovering from critical injuries she suffered in the crash. Her family is expressing hope for a full recovery, but they admit that road is still a long way off.
Doniak suffered a brain injury in the accident. A computed tomography (CT) scan shows swelling in the brain, along with a punctured lung, broken ribs, and broken bones in her leg.
Her friend posted a video on YouTube.com as a tribute to her recovery.
“These girls are in the prime of their life, and they’re thinking about what happens when a life is threatened like this, and it makes them think about 'why do bad things happen to good people?'” said Carol Dodds with Athletes in Action.
Doniak played soccer at University of Texas. Her friends and teammates have hosted prayer meetings in her honor.
Doniak’s family is keeping an online blog chronicling her recovery. On Tuesday they wrote she opened her eyes and blinked, then moved her fingers.
“These are reflexes and involuntary movements,” they wrote in the blog. “But considering she is on paralytics, that’s a pretty huge step toward recovery.”
Nicholas Colunga is charged in the crash. Police say he ran a red light at San Jacinto Blvd and 8th Street, hitting Doniak and another woman as they walked through the crosswalk.
According to police reports, Colunga never stopped. Another driver who saw the crash followed him.
“He hit them, and they went up in the air right in front of me,” said Sisto Perez. “He kept going and at that time, at that split second, I made a conscious decision to chase him.”
Perez caught up with Colunga, stopped him, and held him down until officers arrived and arrested him.
Colunga remains in the Travis County Jail, charged with failure to stop and render aid and intoxication assault. According to his arrest report, Colunga told officers, "You already know I'm drunk. I know I'm drunk."
He admitted to officers that he knew about the accident and said, "I know that I hurt someone."
Colunga’s first court appearance is scheduled for March 2.
A benefit is now set up for anyone who wants to make a donation toward Doniak's medical bills. It's called "For the benefit of Kylie Doniak" and is set up at Wells Fargo Bank.
