Child hit by vehicle in Lehigh Acres

LEHIGH ACRES, Fla. An eight-year-old child is stable after being struck by a vehicle Friday morning at the intersection of East 12th St. and Eighth Avenue, the Florida Highway Patrol said.

Maria Mendez Seriel, 44, was driving west on East 12th Street toward the intersection when her silver Chrysler veered off the road and struck eight-year-old Ritchy Phiseme while he was waiting at the bus stop, according the FHP.

“To see your son in your hands dying, with the blood coming out of his nose and ear…can’t even open his eyes to look at you, can’t even say one word to you — that’s sad,” said Rene Phiseme, Ritchy’s father.

Seriel didn’t see him nor was she distracted, she said.

He was taken to the hospital via Lee Flight, according to a source.

Seriel is facing charges of careless driving.

Phiseme is now recovering at home.