Child making strides after accident

Published 12:00 am Saturday, August 18, 2001

PHOTO: Carley and Christina Perilloux, twin daughters of Joe and Cherie Perilloux of LaPlace, are shown in a recent pose. Christina, at right, was struck Aug. 11 by a speeding van on McReine Road. LAPLACE – A 5-year-old girl is expected to make a full recovery after being struck Aug. 11 by a speeding van on McReine Road. Christina Perilloux, daughter of Joe and Cherie Perilloux of Ellen Street in LaPlace, darted in the path of a 1988 Chevrolet van driven by Claude R. Ford Jr., 41, of 8794 Sunnyside Drive, LaPlace, around 3 p.m. Ford hit the brakes and slid 110 feet but was unable to avoid hitting the child, who was knocked to the pavement in front of the van, sustaining a serious head injury. Her father said she sustained a fractured skull and broke her jaw in two places. However, there is no sign of brain damage and she is awake, aware and appears to be in full control. “The first thing out of her mouth was that she wanted to go swimming at Reserve Pool,” her father said. He said she is coloring, she knows her telephone number and recognizes everyone. “We were really worried; she was real busted up,” her father said. The accident was witnessed by Christina’s twin sister, Carley, who has not handled the accident well and does not want to talk about it. However, the girls’ older brother, John, is handling the incident better, Joe Perilloux said. Christina Perilloux was admitted to River Parishes Hospital for stabilization and was later transported to the pediatric intensive care unit of Children’s Hospital in New Orleans where she is currently recovering. Her parents and other family members have remained by her side for nearly a week. State Police troopers investigating the accident determined that Ford’s van was traveling at about 10 mph in excess of the posted speed limit and he was issued a speeding ticket.