News Nearby: Hit-and-Run Victim Emily Bowman Opens Eyes, May Soon Leave Ventilator Behind

A Woodstock teenager who was hit by a truck in an alleged hit-and-run incident last month on Oconee Street in Athens opened her eyes for the first time.

According to the Bows for Bowman Facebook page, Emily Bowman opened her eyes around 9:30 p.m. Thursday night. 

"She opened her eyes on her own and blinked a few times like she was trying to see us," her uncle Neal Bowman wrote. "It lasted about 30 seconds to a minute and really excited her dad and I."

Bowman's uncle also said the doctor is allowing Bowman to breathe a little more on her own and eventually would like to take her completely off the ventilator. 

Bowman, a former Kennesaw State University student, has been in critical condition at Athens Regional Medical Center since she was hit by a red Mazda pick-up truck while she was in the city to celebrate the birthday of a friend. 

The suspect allegedly fled the scene. The truck was found abandoned not far from the area. 

While the suspect has not been arrested, Athens-Clarke County Police have found evidence that could suggest the driver most likely was drunk at the time of the incident.

However, detectives continue the process of collecting as much evidence as possible before securing arrest warrants for the 22-year-old man suspected of running Bowman over, according to the Athens Banner Herald. 

This article first appeared on Woodstock-Towne Lake Patch.