PRINCE WILLIAM COUNTY, Va. — A 27-year-old Virginia teacher was seriously injured after she was run over by her own car in Woodbridge. She had stopped at a gas station to put some air in her tires.
According to the Prince William County Police Department, officers were called to a gas station on the 2400 block of Prince William Parkway around 8:30 a.m. Saturday.
Investigators say Amanda Kicker believed the car was in park when she went to pump air into the tire. The car then began to roll and ultimately struck her. She was then taken to an area hospital with serious injuries.
"It was the most excruciating feeling," Kicker said.
Kicker said she initially panicked when she saw the car start to roll across the parking lot toward a pond.
"I need to save the car because if I don't have a car, I can't get to work, I can't support my kids, I can't get paid,” she said.
The teacher said she first got in front of the car, before running to the driver’s side door. That was when she fell underneath it.
"I either tripped on the curb or my foot got stuck on the tire of the car," she said.
Kicker said both tires on the driver’s side of the car then rolled over her chest.
"When that tire went over me, I felt and heard my bones crack,” she said.
The Prince William County School District confirmed Kicker is a first year special education teacher at Freedom High School. She said her students were the first people she thought of after the incident.
"I was worried about was someone being there for those kids,” Kicker said.
A GoFundMe set up for the teacher says Kicker was left with multiple broken bones, including her ribs, pelvis, shoulder blade and knee. The GoFundMe also claims that since it is her first year as a teacher, she doesn't qualify for short-term disability. Additionally, her car is a total loss after ending up partially underwater and the GoFundMe claims her insurance will not cover the damage.
The GoFundMe has a $5,000 goal and as of 12:45 p.m. has raised a little more than $3,100.
Kicker said she appreciates everyone’s efforts to come to her assistance.
"It means more than I can express,” she said. “I have never been at a school and area where I've felt so safe."
Editor's Note: A previous version of this story showed a photo from Freedom High School in Loudoun County. This has been corrected.
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