The father of an 8-month-old infant run over by a driver in
Yonkers thanked the people who saved her life.
Local and state officials gathered at Yonkers City Hall to
honor the two police officers and three good Samaritans who lifted a car off
8-month-old Leslie.
Surveillance video shows a car running into Leslie and her
mother, forcing them through the front of a barbershop. It happened on July 23
on Lake Avenue in Yonkers.
Jorge Palacio, Leslie’s father, says was next door at the
time of the incident and rushed over to find his wife pinned by the car. He
said he feared his baby was dead.
Leslie suffered a fractured skull and burns, but survived
after bystanders and police worked to lift the car.
The father was emotional at the event as he thanked the men
he called "angels."
Michael LaRusso was inside the barber shop and was nearly
hit by the car. He, along with two other bystanders and two policemen who were
next door grabbing breakfast, all worked together.
"We are just happy the mom and the little girl are
doing OK,” he says.
The child left the hospital Monday after undergoing skin
graft surgery. Her mother is still hospitalized with a broken femur.