9-year-old boy hit by suspected drunk driver in West Allis remains hospitalized

WEST ALLIS, Wis. (CBS 58) -- A 9-year-old boy is finally awake after he was hit by a suspected drunk driver on Sunday, Oct. 1.

Family of Ben Modl said the 9-year-old is awake and fighting for his life. He was taken to Children's Wisconsin and into the ICU unit Sunday.

"Ben has a lot of fractures in his skull, his eye is swollen shut and it's black and blue. They took him off a tube yesterday," said Kathy Rom, the boy's grandmother.

Rom said Modl was out with friends near 84th and National in West Allis on Sunday when he was struck by a car while crossing the street. He was hit by a 73-year-old man who was arrested on an OWI. Charges are pending.

"All that he could say is, 'I want to hug my dad, where's my dad?' And then, 'Am I dying?'" said Rom.

Rom said her son, Modl's father, is a single parent of three who has been by Modl's side since Sunday. Modl's siblings are still processing the accident.

Rom shares a message for a man she said stayed and waited for medics with her grandson after he was struck.

"I want to thank him for staying with my baby grandson," said Rom.

Rom said she wants the driver to suffer the consequences of his actions, but more importantly she wants Modl to be healthy again.

A GoFundMe has been started for Modl, click here for more information.