Hit-and-run victim making ‘miraculous’ recovery

Devin Miller is making an incredible recovery after being on the verge of death.

Police say 27-year-old Miller and 26-year-old Javier Rivera were pushing a 1998 Chevrolet Camaro that had broken down on the 10700 block of Gateway East around 2:30 a.m.

According to the department, an unknown driver slammed into the Camaro while they were pushing it, seriously injuring Miller. Rivera was not injured.

Two off-duty El Paso nurses pulled over to render aid on Gateway Boulevard East on Sunday after a man was struck by a truck driver who drove away.

Miller was then rushed to Del Sol Medical Center.

“He underwent initial damage control surgery here to stop major bleeding that was occurring,” Del Sol Medical Center Dr. Stephen Flaherty said. “Several hours later we took him back to the operation room to control bleeding.”

Devon’s parents were notified by police the night of the incident. “We didn’t think he was going to survive,” Mr. Miller said.

The 27-year-old suffered brain trauma, chest, abdomen and leg injuries among other things. Doctors said it would take a miracle for Miller to survive.

“Our patient required a long period of critical care in ICU,” Flaherty said.

“To hear that your son is fighting for his life, is like someone snatching your heart out,” Mr. Miller said. “That is something you never want anyone to endure and we had so many people holding us up in the midst of it.”

Miller is making progress on his road to recovery, as he received 6 hours of therapy a day to get back to normal function.

“We are working on things like fine motor activity,” Flaherty said. ” Movement of the arms and legs, working on brain injury recovery, cognitive skills, strength, balance and other physical therapy efforts.”

Miller’s parents said the first day Devon was not responsive. “We were hoping and praying he would open up his eyes, just to recognize his mom and dad,” Mrs. Miller said. “We go from April 1 to fighting for his life to moving and manipulating a wheel chair.”

Devon’s parents say with the help of Del Sol Medical Center’s physical therapy program their child is now able to speak more audibly.

“We want him in a place to fend for himself, but based of how he is moving and how he is communicating and how these guys are working really hard with him – I do see him being able to go back to the community and being as successful as he was leaning towards before the incident,” Mr. Miller said.

El Paso police say the driver suspected of hitting Miller and leaving the scene has turned himself in.