HOUSTON – Family and friends of a Hastings High School student who was struck by a car Wednesday gathered for a vigil Friday to pray for his recovery.
Anthony Velasquez, 18, remains hospitalized in critical condition, according to family.
"He's a very good guy. I don't know why this would happen to him," said Joel Pacheco, Velasquez's cousin.
The wreck happened at about 2:40 p.m. Wednesday near Hastings High School at 4410 Cook Road.
According to investigators, Velasquez was walking with some friends on a sidewalk when he was hit by a car. The car then hit another car before coming to a stop.
Houston police identified the driver of that car as 56-year-old Chinyere Iheagwam. She was charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon after prosecutors said she was driving at more than double the speed limit. She left jail Thursday after paying a $30,000 bond.
A spokesman for the Harris County District Attorney's Office said Iheagwam was driving recklessly, speeding in a 20mph school zone, and used a turning lane to pass other cars.
"I felt regret I should have gone but I didn't know because I was on my way home," said Gael Garcia, Velasquez's friend.
Friends said Velasquez has his life ahead of him — an aspiring welder who loved to play soccer.
"He is gonna pull through it because he's really strong," Garcia said.
"I'm hoping that he has a speedy recovery cause from what I've heard is that... it's a miracle that he's alive right now," Pacheco said.
A family member created a GoFundMe page to help with medical costs.