MINNEAPOLIS — The young woman who was struck in a crosswalk by an accused carjacker fleeing police is out of intensive care and improving.
Cecelia Speranzella suffered a traumatic brain injury during the chaotic incident that unfolded on Lake Street on Sept. 30. The 19-year-old and her 14-year-old brother Jacob were walking across Lake Street near the intersection of 17th Avenue South inside a marked crosswalk when police say they were hit by a car driven by Steven Ross of St. Paul. Both young people were impacted so violently they were launched into the air, one of them being flung into the window of a bakery before landing unconscious on the sidewalk.
Cecelia was initially unresponsive after sustaining a traumatic brain injury, but is now described as awake and communicating by writing. KARE 11's Lou Raguse learned of the update while covering the anniversary of the kidnapping of Jayme Closs.
Jacob Speranzella suffered cuts, fractured ankles and broken vertebrae. A GoFundMe site has been set up to help the family cover an avalanche of medical bills.
Ross is charged with criminal vehicular operation and robbery for the strong-arm theft of the vehicle he was driving. He allegedly confessed to being high on crack cocaine, marijuana, and consuming alcohol earlier in the day.