Injured Caroline girl had jumped on SUV

An 11-year-old Caroline County girl found seriously injured Sunday on a Lake Caroline community street had jumped onto the back of a passing sport utility vehicle unbeknownst to the driver, state police have concluded.

"Basically, the driver is not at fault," said Sgt. Thomas Molnar, a state police spokesman. "The driver drove down the road, and she fell off the vehicle" without his knowledge about 6:35 p.m., near the intersection of Loyalist and Senate drives in Lake Caroline.

The girl, whose identity wasn't released, was flown by Medflight helicopter to VCU Medical Center in Richmond, where investigators yesterday were able to talk with her for the first time. "She confessed to what happened," Molnar said.

Authorities have ruled out any act of negligence on the driver's part.

Police initially didn't know how the girl, who lives in Lake Caroline with her family, came to be injured. Tips from the public helped police identify the vehicle and driver involved.

The girl lives in Lake Caroline with her family and had been gone from her home for about 30 minutes before she was found. A Lake Caroline resident found the girl in the road and notified authorities.

The child's condition is still regarded as serious, but she is conscious and able to talk, Molnar said. Her injuries are not considered life-threatening, and she is expected to recover. --Mark Bowes