Emily Bowman Opens Eyes, Could Soon Start Breathing On Her Own

A former Kennesaw State University student from Woodstock who was hit by a truck in an alleged hit-and-run incident last month 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 has been in critical condition at Athens Regional Medical Center since she was allegedly hit by a man driving 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 and the truck was found abandoned not far from the scene. 

While the suspect has not been arrested, Athens-Clarke County Police have found evidence that could suggest the suspect 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.