(Pictured: Ava Del Ricco, Courtesy Family Photo)OCEAN CITY, Md. - A little baby girl is fighting for her life weeks after a crash on Coastal Highway in Ocean City left her in critical condition.
Ava Del Ricco remains hospitalized at the Johns Hopkins Shock Trauma Pediatric Center after a December car accident. Ocean City police say that 47-year-old Andre Kaczyinski was under the influence of drugs when he slammed into the back of Ava's mother's car, which was stopped at a red light on 142nd Street.
Family members tell WBOC that Ava's mother is doing OK, and baby Ava was able to open her eyes this week. A hearing will be held in March in Worcester County for Kaczynski, who has been charged with possession of drugs. A Maryland case search shows the man has several prior traffic violations.
Meantime, the community is praying for Ava, helping raise awareness for the Del Ricco Benefit Fund, which has already reached more than $28,000.
Krista and Johnny Brooks of Ocean Pines are organizing a candlelight prayer vigil at the crash site this Saturday at 7 p.m.
"Prayer I think goes further than anything," said Krista.
"Never ever have I ever seen something so horrific as that accident," added Johnny.
