ST. JOHNS COUNTY, Fla. – The small communities of Hastings and Flagler Estates are coming together to support the family of a teen critically injured in Friday’s hit-and-run.
On Sunday morning, members inside the First Baptist Church of Hastings walked to the alter and kneeled in prayer for 14-year-old Maslin Mooney, the teen who was airlifted to the hospital Friday morning after being hit by a vehicle while walking to his bus stop.
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The incident occurred around 6 a.m., but according to the church, Mooney was left unconscious on the side of the road for about 45 minutes before someone found him and notified first responders.
The 14-year-old suffered brain bleeding, multiple broken bones, and is expected to be in the hospital for weeks. His window of recovery is expected to last even longer.
Ross Warrell, the director of youth at First Baptist Church of Hastings, described Mooney as funny and someone whose faith is growing stronger with God. He told News4JAX that it was “heartbreaking” and “traumatic” to learn what happened to the teenager.
However, he said the church received two pieces of good news on Sunday. Not only did St. Johns County deputies interview a suspect related to the hit-and-run, Mooney’s parents were able to communicate with their son.
“This is great news because he’s been intubated and sedated for most of the time due to the extent of his injuries,” Warrell said. “So it’s very great news to know that he is coherent.”
To help Mooney’s family, the church is raising money for his medical bills.
“It’s really just the outpouring of God’s love onto the community and allowing him to work in our lives,” the youth director added, noting that moments like these show the true impact of a rural community.
First Baptist Church of Hastings did put out a warning to people donating to certain fundraisers that claim to support the Mooney family.
Currently, the church says they’re the only entity that has received the family’s permission to raise money.