12-year-old girl remains in serious condition after hit and run Friday in Cleveland

CLEVELAND - A 12-year-old girl is fighting for her life after she was struck by an SUV at W. 31st Street and Denison Avenue. Police need your help finding the suspect.

According to Cleveland police, twelve year old Katie Adkins was crossing the street when a black SUV, traveling westbound, hit her. They said the driver failed to stop and continued westbound down Denison Avenue.

An eyewitness whose children play with Katie ran to help the girl. She said the scene was horrifying.

"She went up in the air over the school sign flipped over his truck several times and ended up in front of the warning sign. Her body was all twisted up," she described.

Katie is expected to recover but a family friend said they expect a long rehabilitation period.

"Oh my God it's just crazy, like I mean I don't know what to say, it was a hurtful thing to see this 12 year old actually get hit the way she did," said the woman.

There is no signal or crosswalk where the victim was crossing the street.

Neighbor, Ronieta Lee, said she blames the driver for driving wrecklessly; but, she also sees a need for a stop sign or crosswalk where the girl was hit.

"Nobody ever crosses at the crosswalk there or at McDonald's all the kids cross right there so it's not a surprise that she did get hit," she said.

Police said the suspect's SUV likely has front end damage and a broken windshield.

Anyone with information is urged to call the Cleveland police accident investigation unit at (216) 623-5295. Anonymous information can also be given to Crime Stoppers by calling (216) 252-7463.