The parents of a 5-year-old St. Paul boy who was hurt Thursday in a hit-and-run incident say he probably climbed out of his first-floor bedroom window and wandered across the street to a park.
The boy, Godswill Udoh, is autistic, which is likely to have played a role, said his mother and father, Sifon and Udoukpe Udoh.
"We know he's going to get better," said his mother, Sifon Udoh. "He's a fighter."
Godswill was opening his eyes and making noises Friday at Gillette Children's Hospital as his brain swelling lessened, his parents said. He hasn't spoken but is doing well and didn't break any bones. He was upgraded from critical to good condition.
His mother said she put him in his bedroom about 6 p.m. to play music on his keyboard and then went to feed his two younger siblings. She checked on him later, and he was gone. The Udohs said they called 911, which police confirmed.
Cordell Martin said he was playing basketball at Scheffer Recreation Center on Thursday when a car sped down the street and plowed into Godswill about 6:20 p.m., sending him into the windshield and up over the top.
Godswill fell onto Marion Street at Thomas Avenue, where he lay unconscious, a large knot growing on his forehead as blood filled his mouth.
Martin said about 30 to 40 people were at the park. Children were playing T-ball.
