Family: Hit-and-run victim fighting for her life

MANASSAS, Va. -- Anthony Porter is doing his best to bring to light the person responsible for critically injuring his sister.

Gloria Morton is in intensive care at Inova Fairfax Hospital after being struck by a late 1990s Toyota early Monday night near her Georgetown South home in Manassas.

The 50-year-old was flown to the hospital with broken bones, head trauma and possible internal injuries, according to Manassas Sgt. Tim Neumann.

As police investigate, Porter has been combing area body shops, checking to see if any vehicle that matches the one that struck his sister. Porter said the driver needs to face the responsibility of what he or she has done.

“It’s a bigger mistake to not come forward,” Porter said Wednesday. “They can’t be that cold to hit someone and then act like nothing ever happened.”

Witnesses told police that the car, which was traveling south on Grant Avenue, hit Morton while she was walking in the crosswalk, said Neumann.

The car, possibly a Camry, fled the scene after hitting the woman, Neumann said. Police do not have any new information regarding the case but are in the process of speaking with merchants on Grant Avenue that may have any surveillance cameras that could have caught what happened.

Morton’s nephew and roommate Thomas Morton was so upset the day after it happened that he couldn’t bring himself to visit her in the hospital because of the damage inflicted on her happy, loving face.

According to Porter, the vehicle struck Morton so hard that she flew “60 feet in the air” and landed near the next intersection. He said his aunt is fighting for her life.

Porter was on his way back to his home in Bealeton when he learned the news from his older brother. He rushed back to the scene just before his sister was airlifted to the hospital.

“Every time, I look at [her] picture, it infuriates me that someone could be that cold and not check to see if the person is OK,” Porter said.

Porter said speed is an issue on that part of Grant Avenue and plans on bringing this up to Manassas police. The posted speed limit is 25, but according to Porter, many drivers travel at much higher speeds.

Thomas said the incident has the whole family upset and he has had trouble sleeping the last couple of nights. Thomas described his aunt as a kindhearted person who loves to cook and have fun.

“All I got now is faith in God,” Thomas said. “My family is praying and my aunt is still there, thank God.”

Anyone with information regarding this case should contact 703-257-8040 or 703-257-8000.

Staff writer Kipp Hanley can be reached at 703-878-8062.