Teen graduates from high school months after hit-and-run
MEMPHIS, Tenn. — It's graduation night for many in the Memphis area, including Thomas Powell, who survived a hit-and-run last July.
Now, he has a full-ride scholarship waiting for him at the University of Memphis.
WREG had a chance to catch up with Powell and his family outside of Mitchell High School's graduation.
ORIGINAL STORY: Hit-and-run wreck leaves honor student on life support
They said they're extremely proud because less than a year ago, this all felt unrealistic.
'I knew I had to trust God because he was the only one who could bring him back to this,' Powell's mother, Shauntay Williams said.
Williams' prayers were answered as her oldest son, Thomas Powell, will be graduating from Mitchell High School.
Last July, Powell was struck by a car in a hit-and-run, leaving him on life support and unable to walk on his own.
Nearly a year later, his recovery has been nothing short of a miracle, as he credits God and his positive attitude for his recovery.
He said he's even given his walker to a man less fortunate than him, months after his accident.
'There was a guy, he had a walking cane and he was walking down the street. We were looking for a yard to cut and he was having a hard time with his cane,' Powell said. 'I just gave him my walker.'
Monday night, Thomas celebrates an academic career most could only dream of.
While at Mitchell High, he was an honor roll student and earned a full-ride scholarship to the University of Memphis next fall.
He also earned a medal from the exclusive ACT 25+ club, a group that celebrates Shelby County students with an ACT score of 25 or higher.
Honor student returns home after hit-and-run crash
'I'm the only one in my class that has this,' Powell said of the medal.
To say his family is proud is an understatement.
'He's a light,' Williams said. 'Put it like that, he's a light and he shines really, really bright.'
After college, Powell said he plans on becoming a therapist, so he can help people overcome mental hurdles like he did.
'I want to be a therapist,' Powell said. 'I want to go and be a therapist and make it so people can reach heights higher than I reached without having to go through the same things.'
Powell said he's also considering attending Vanderbilt, although his mom would like for him to stay close to home at the University of Memphis.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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