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Community rallies to help teen's family

The Plant High freshman was hit by a car two weeks ago crossing Dale Mabry Highway.

By ALEXANDRA ZAYAS
Published March 31, 2006

It has been two weeks since Plant High School freshman Arielle Serrano, 14, was struck by a car while crossing Dale Mabry Highway.

As doctors care for her at Tampa General Hospital, families from Plant High School are taking care of her mom, Leshea Serrano, a chemistry teacher at Plant, and her twin sister, Alexis.

Hundreds of families have formed a food chain to bring dinners to Arielle's family in the hospital every evening. Anne Bartlett, a Plant parent coordinating the project, said the response from the school community has been overwhelming.

"It's huge," Bartlett said. "We're just a big family. It is one of ours. Everybody feels very connected to it, because it could be one of our kids."

Arielle had just left flag football practice on the afternoon of March 14 when she attempted to run across Dale Mabry before the light signaled it was safe.

She made it across three lanes before she was hit by a Ford Escort driven by 28-year-old Army veteran Thomas Howse. Police say Howse was driving the speed limit, and they credit him for giving emergency aid to Arielle.

Arielle was in serious condition Wednesday, said Tampa General Hospital spokeswoman Ellen Fiss.

[Last modified March 30, 2006, 14:18:47]