Woman in critical condition after hit-and-run

DEERFIELD BEACH, Fla. (WSVN) -- A South Florida family is pleading to the public for any information on the driver who struck and left their loved one in critical condition.

Stacy Peppers, 41, was walking to her car with her husband after visiting her mother-in-law, last Thursday night. Peppers was crossing the 800 block of Southeast Sixth Avenue when she was struck by a car.

Peppers' mother-in-law, Linda Kelly, had set up a surveillance system to catch the crooks that have been burglarizing her car. The surveillance caught Peppers' last moments before she was struck by the driver. "I literally cried for like 30 minutes just trying to type so that everyone understood what had happened to my little girl, and I know she's not mine, but I think of her as mine," said Kelly.

The driver raced from the scene heading southbound on Southeast Sixth Avenue, then turned westbound on 10th Street towards Interstate 95.

Broward Sheriff's Office investigators said the force of the crash tossed Peppers 25 feet into the air before slamming her to the ground.

Peppers is in critical condition with serious brain injuries. "We want to believe that she will get better, but she will never be the little girl we had. She's never gonna be the same," said Kelly.

Investigators said the vehicle could be a dark mid-1990s-to-2000-year hatchback, with damage to the head lights, hood and bumper on the passenger side.

Kelly wants some answers. "There's got to be someone out there that knows something, that doesn't realize that they know something, and we really, really need all the help we can get," she said. "We need to get some justice for this little girl. She's never hurt anyone in her whole life."

If you have any information on this hit-and-run, call Broward County Crime Stoppers at 954-493-TIPS. Remember, you can always remain anonymous, and you may be eligible for a reward.

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