More than a year later: Daughter still unable to walk, talk after being hit at crosswalk

More than a year after being hit at a crosswalk, a 14-year-old girl is continuing her recovery in Chapel Hill.

Emmie Zwack was critically injured on New Year's Eve in 2021 when a 69-year-old woman hit her and Emmie's best friend, Lila Ashdown, at a crosswalk on Estes Drive and Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard.

"The car on the side of the street stopped and waved them on," said Lynn Zwack, Emmie's mother. "They were coming across the street and the other driver did not see them in time."

Since that accident, her parents have had to adjust to a new reality. Their teen daughter once had a vibrant smile, but now she can no longer talk or walk.

"It's just been a learning curve having someone here a lot and being dependent on somebody else to take care of your child," Lynn said.

Police charged Norma Martin with failure to yield to pedestrian in a clearly marked crosswalk.

Since the crash, officers have increased safety initiatives in the town. On Tuesday alone, police cited 15 drivers for speeding, adding each driver they cited was going 20 miles over the 35 mph speed limit on 15-501 near Southern Village.

Her family said this tragedy emphasizes the need for safety initiatives.

"I'm glad they're doing something," said Paul Zwack, Emmie's father. "It's also what everybody can do, and that is being more aware, be more conscious [when] driving."

Emmie's family set up a GoFundMe to help with her medical expenses in the hopes that she will one day speak again. As of May 23, the GoFundMe has raised over $30,000.

As for Ashdown, her family said she was released from the hospital and still comes around to visit her best friend, Emmie.