BAKERSFIELD, CA - It has been six weeks since a suspected drunk driver crashed into a Shell gas station in north Bakersfield, critically injuring a 20-year-old woman.
Leann Harris is now a paraplegic and has been at Kern Medical Center since that crash, but she was released from the hospital Monday.
Harris' parents say they haven't thought about Kristoffer Carter, the former Bakersfield police officer accused of putting Leann in the hospital. They say they've been completely focused on Leann as she takes steps toward recovery.
It's the moment the Harris family has been waiting for, for 42 days.
"Last time I was in this thing they thought that I was dying," Leann Harris said from her gurney.
Harris was in good spirits as she was wheeled out of Kern Medical Center, surrounded by loved ones.
"This is a big step forward for us today. I'm happy that she's recovered really fast," said Leann's father, Jeff Harris.
According to the CHP, on April 21st, Harris was pumping gas at a Shell station off Merle Haggard Drive when former Bakersfield Police officer Kristofer Carter was driving drunk and speeding and plowed into Harris.
"That's the past now and we just gotta go further forward and keep her strong. She's a very strong-willed girl," Jeff said.
Leann was critically injured, fell into a medically induced coma, and is now a paraplegic.
"It's not going to be no easy task, but she's doing good though," Harris said.
Harris is optimistic that she can overcome this, but her road to recovery is just beginning.
After undergoing several procedures at KMC, Leann is now headed to Rancho Los Amigos Rehabilitation Center in Downey, one of the leading spinal rehab facilities in the country.
"It's been a real short but long haul it seems like, but we still got a long ways to go."
Leann's parents say her goal is to be out of rehab by October 25th, which is her 21st birthday, so she can go to Las Vegas to celebrate and attend a national drag racing event.
Meantime, Carter is scheduled for a preliminary hearing Thursday. He faces three charges of felony DUI with bodily harm.
Leann Harris is now a paraplegic and has been at Kern Medical Center since that crash, but she was released from the hospital Monday.
Harris' parents say they haven't thought about Kristoffer Carter, the former Bakersfield police officer accused of putting Leann in the hospital. They say they've been completely focused on Leann as she takes steps toward recovery.
It's the moment the Harris family has been waiting for, for 42 days.
"Last time I was in this thing they thought that I was dying," Leann Harris said from her gurney.
Harris was in good spirits as she was wheeled out of Kern Medical Center, surrounded by loved ones.
"This is a big step forward for us today. I'm happy that she's recovered really fast," said Leann's father, Jeff Harris.
According to the CHP, on April 21st, Harris was pumping gas at a Shell station off Merle Haggard Drive when former Bakersfield Police officer Kristofer Carter was driving drunk and speeding and plowed into Harris.
"That's the past now and we just gotta go further forward and keep her strong. She's a very strong-willed girl," Jeff said.
Leann was critically injured, fell into a medically induced coma, and is now a paraplegic.
"It's not going to be no easy task, but she's doing good though," Harris said.
Harris is optimistic that she can overcome this, but her road to recovery is just beginning.
After undergoing several procedures at KMC, Leann is now headed to Rancho Los Amigos Rehabilitation Center in Downey, one of the leading spinal rehab facilities in the country.
"It's been a real short but long haul it seems like, but we still got a long ways to go."
Leann's parents say her goal is to be out of rehab by October 25th, which is her 21st birthday, so she can go to Las Vegas to celebrate and attend a national drag racing event.
Meantime, Carter is scheduled for a preliminary hearing Thursday. He faces three charges of felony DUI with bodily harm.