Supporters Rally Behind 11-year-old Shawnee Hit-And-Run Victim

A community is rallying behind Reagan Permetter, the Shawnee 6th grader who was injured last month in a hit-and-run accident.

Friday, October 26th 2012, 9:33 pm

By: News 9


A community is rallying behind Reagan Permetter, the Shawnee 6th grader who was injured last month in a hit-and-run accident.

Her supporters say not enough action is being taken against the teenage driver. 

Friends of Reagan's family protested outside the Pottawatomie Courthouse for hours. District Attorney Richard Smothermon said his office has filed charges against the driver, but she is only 17 years old, so she is being charged as a juvenile.

With medical bills mounting for Reagan's family, those charges aren't enough for the people who were out protesting today.

"It broke my heart. My heart sank whenever I heard she'd been hit by a car," Melody Nobert said.

9/28/12 Related Story: Shawnee Girl Recovers After Being Hit By Car

Police say a 17-year-old driver hit Reagan near her Shawnee home and left her on the side of the road. The driver left the scene and was later taken into custody.

Reagan was hospitalized with a long list of injuries, including a fractured skull.

Marcella Norris coaches Reagan's soccer team.

"At first it was shock," Norris says. "Now the reaction is starting to turn to anger."

Anger has broken out in the community. While the 17 year old is facing charges as a juvenile, Reagan's supporters say the driver should be held financially responsible.

"I understand the child's a minor, but she has parents. I've seen the medical bills, I know the cost of things, and I feel so bad for her family," Norris said.

9/28/2012 Related Story: Shawnee 6th Grader Hospitalized After Hit and Run

Reagan has been an avid soccer player for years, but since the accident, those who know her say she doesn't remember much about her favorite pastime.

"She doesn't remember what position she plays," Norris says, "and that's the saddest thing because anyone that knows Reagan knows that soccer is number one in her life."

To show how much this community is behind Reagan, her soccer team is selling headbands and bracelets, and next month there will be a T-ball fundraiser held in Shawnee to raise money for Reagan's family to help with the medical bills.

The tournament will be held Nov. 16 - 18. For more information, Reagan's supporters have setup a Facebook page called "Praying for Reagan."

The driver has been charged with leaving the scene of an accident. The DA says a civil suit would have to be filed against the driver for Reagan's family to recover any financial losses.

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