12-year-old recounts moment he, his grandmother were hit by SUV

The Caruso family said the accident has also taken a financial toll on them.

Thema Ponton

Mar 12, 2024, 2:23 AM

Updated 179 days ago

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Twelve-year-old Giovanni Caruso told News 12 he has nightmares about when he and his 69-year-old grandmother, Maryann, were hit by an SUV while crossing Fulton and Main streets in Farmingdale last December.
"She got hit first and then I heard a scream before I got hit...all the sudden I looked to my left and grandma wasn't there anymore, like I would think that grandma would be right there, like I didn't know she was dragged," he says.
As News 12 reported, the 69-year-old was dragged for several blocks down Fulton Street.
"I don't think she'll ever be the same to be honest with you, you know physically, emotionally, it's been like hell for her." said her son, Stephen Caruso.
He also said her injuries were so severe, her skull was left exposed and the skin on her back, legs and foot came almost completely off.
"She's still in pain." Caruso said.
Giovanni suffered a collapsed lung after being hit and had to be airlifted to Cohen Children's Medical Center.
Since getting hit crossing the street, he now takes the bus to school.
"I haven't crossed that street since it happened." said Giovanni.
As News 12 reported in December, Nassau police said the 80-year-old driver of the SUV was making a right turn onto Fulton Street when she hit Giovanni and his grandmother.
Police confirmed to News 12 on Monday that no charges were filed against the driver.
"I'm not really happy about that...she's claiming to have not known she hit them, and I just find that impossible you know...to be able to get away with that," said Stephen Caruso.
Caruso and his son are leaning on each other for support on their family's long road to recovery.
"Hopefully, be less nervous of crossing the street and stuff, all I really hope for is for grandma to get better." said Giovanni.
The Caruso family said the accident has also taken a financial toll on them.
They set up a GoFundMe to help with expenses.