MEMPHIS, TN (abc24.com) - He was barely clinging to life after two drag racers ran him over, now a former football star from Sheffield High School is defying the odds again.
18-year-old Darreontae Martin will walk across a stage for his high school diploma on Sunday, May 20
When Darreontae walks on to campus, everybody is aware. Not just because he stands a foot above them or because of his infectious smile, but parents, students, even security guards all stop him to say hi.
His mother, Wrechal Currie, has been fighting by Martin's side since the hit and run. "It's been difficult, it's been really difficult, but he's been motivated."
Currie's pride in her son is obvious. Next week will mark one year since Martin was run over by two drag racers. They've never been caught. The teen, with a potential football scholarship to Ole Miss, was suddenly fighting for his life. Nearly every bone in his body was broken, but that didn't stop Martin, known as "Superman" to his friends. He worked to stand and fought to walk, all with graduation in mind.
Martin says, "We prayed about that so much, after hearing my Mom say, 'I know he's going to walk across,' I just kind of figured that I would."
Currie says, "I think he's been such a motivator for so many people. He's really not supposed to be this far, but Baptist Rehab have pushed him so much that he was determined that he was going to walk."
Not only did the hit and run damage his body, he was forced to stay home from school the first semester of his senior year, leaving graduation in question. On Wednesday, May 16, he found out he will graduate and will walk with his class.
Currie is "overjoyed, I'm on cloud 12, beyond cloud nine. Just the fact that he has his cap and gown, his tickets, we are official! Sunday can't come quick enough. I'm waiting on the days, counting down the minutes."
So is her son, calling the graduation "exciting," Martin says with a huge smile, "One of the most exciting things to ever happen in my life."
Currie says her son is a miracle, "Prayer more than anything. Don't tell me what God can't do, because I can show you what he's done."
Martin will attend Southwest Community College in the fall and hopes to transfer to Ole Miss.
