‘Guardian angel’: UNCW freshman recovering after being hit by car near campus

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — One moment, UNCW freshman Drew Ryan was walking along South College Road with a friend. The next, a car came swerving toward them.

The crash happened Saturday, August 29, near the University of North Carolina Wilmington and the TD Bank on South College Road.

Ryan and his friend were walking facing traffic when a car suddenly left the roadway and struck them.

It happened so quickly, Ryan says there was no time to react.

Ryan suffered a concussion and cuts to his face and leg that required stitches.

But considering the force of the crash, his mother says doctors were amazed by how well her son was doing.

“They continuously said he had to have a guardian angel looking over him,” Alisha Ryan said.

She says an emergency room doctor told the family he rarely sees someone hit by a car traveling around 45 miles per hour who doesn’t suffer a broken bone or life-threatening injuries.

For Ryan and his family, the recovery now comes with a sense of gratitude — and a lot of questions about what happened.

Parts of the vehicle involved were collected as evidence as Wilmington police investigate the crash.

Anyone who witnessed the incident or has information about the vehicle or driver is asked to contact the Wilmington Police Department.