OLEAN, N.Y. (WKBW) — Aamairra Elliott is a strong 15-year-old girl. She is only a few days removed from a hit-and-run in Olean that ended with her being taken by Mercy Flight to Oishei Children's Hospital.
This past weekend, Aamairra, her sister Makayla, and two of their friends were spending time together. At around 9 p.m. Saturday, their night took the worst possible turn when a car sped up behind them at the intersection of Buffalo Road and Fall Street.
"I just remember walking under the underpass, then I just remember waking up in the hospital," Aamairra said. "I was supposed to meet up with one of my sister's friends."
"We crossed the road because there was glass all over the sidewalk, and Aamairra, she was too close to the road, I'm like 'Aamairra come here, watch out,'" Makayla said. "I couldn't really see the car, it might have been gray, I wasn't really able to see it because the light just shined in my eyes."
Makayla said the car sped off on the highway, never turning around.
"They must have sped up and hit her. She went flying in front of me, her phone flung, I think she hit her head off the curb," she continued. "I ran over to Aamairra, and I was on my knees, screaming and crying."
Aamairra was seriously hurt. That car ran over her leg, threw her to the ground, and then she had a seizure on the side of the road.
Thankfully, Melinda Holmes wasn't far behind that car and immediately pulled over to help.
"I guess I wouldn't be going for social work if I didn't want to help people," Melinda said. "Initially, I just thought she was just having a seizure. I thought it's okay, I know how to handle this."
Melinda took care of Aamairra until emergency crews arrived and rushed her to the Olean hospital, eventually flying her to Oishei in Buffalo, saving her life.
Aamairra is now at home recovering, but she has a broken foot, nearly a dozen staples in her head, and too many scrapes and bruises to count.
Aamairra's mother Aamber was at work at the time, but is incredibly grateful Melinda was there to help her girls.
"I'm just thankful she's alive," Aamber said. "After my daughter was hit and somebody just drove off and left her there, I'm just thankful for the good people that are out there."
Olean Police arrested 42-year-old Kevin Carll of Cooper Hill Road a week later. Investigators found his car at a collision shop with the help of video at the scene and witnesses.
Carll has been charged with second-degree assault, first-degree reckless endangerment, tampering with physical evidence and leaving the scene of an accident resulting in death or serious injury. He is being held on bail following his arraignment in Olean City Court.
