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Children, staff ban together to help victims of fatal hit-and-run at day care

ORLANDO, Fla. — WFTV is learning more about a young girl who is fighting for her life after a car went crashing into an Orange County day care on Wednesday.

June Decalzada is in critical condition.

Channel 9’s Renee Stoll spoke to KinderCare staff about how the teachers and children are coping with the tragedy.

The staff said they are working to set up a fund for all the victims involved in the deadly crash.

Friday was the first day children who were inside the day care when the accident happened reunited with their friends and teachers.

They made get well cards and dressed up as superheroes to send June and the others injured well wishes.

Three-year-old Steven Bruinsma said June is his best friend.

“Him and June were thick as thieves,” said Steven Bruinsma’s mother, Tabitha Bruinsma.

June is the only child still in critical condition at Arnold Palmer Children’s Hospital after investigators said Robert Corchado caused another driver to ram through the KinderCare day care.

They said Corchado did not stay at the scene.

The crash injured 11 people and killed 4-year-old Lily Quintus.

Friends of June’s family said the 3-year-old has brain and lung damage.

“We can hope that things continue to go better and she recovers and all of them recover; and they can all play again together soon enough,” Tabitha Bruinsma said.

A parent sent WFTV pictures from inside the event where the children gathered Friday.

Some donned their best superhero costumes to remember Lily.

“That’s in honor of Lily. She loved to be both a princess and a superhero,” said Colleen Moran, a spokesperson for KinderCare.

Moran said the center has been in constant contact with all the families affected by the incident and are trying to help with the medical costs.

“Earlier today we made a donation of $10,000 to the fund that’s been set up for Lily. We’re also working on a more long term plan for the other families,” she said.

KinderCare administrators had planned to have a press conference Saturday, but decided to cancel it to give familied more time to heal.

Officials said they hope to start repairs to the building next week.

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