MEMPHIS, TN -
(WMC-TV) – Sunday, 18-year-old Darreontae Martin will don his cap and gown. Graduation may have come sooner had his life not taken a sharp turn last May. Back then, Martin was a star linebacker at Sheffield High.
Police say a street racer hit him on Knight Road, then a second car - also racing - ran over him. Neither driver stopped.
Martin spent months in ICU with blood in his lungs and broken bones in his spine, shoulder, arms, pelvis, ribs, and legs.
One year later, he's graduating from high school, and some call him a miracle.
"I'll be excited because I'll get my diploma. I think I just survived something and got through it." said Martin.
Martin learned a huge lesson.
"It's more about your education than other things. You really want to focus on that. Because if you don't have your education, you can't do anything. If you don't have your high school diploma, you can't even work at McDonald's," stated Martin.
Martin says he has a grant to go to Southwest Community College where he will study to become a computer technician. He then wants to transfer to Ole Miss.
"That was always my first school because of my favorite football player, Michael Oher," Martin said.
He's still on six medications a day for pain and swelling and will never get over some of his injuries. But Martin says no one can take away his education.
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Darreontae Martin--Today
Darreontae Martin--Injured
