Mom says 8-year-old hit by car on Christmas is 'a fighter'

8-year-old Yael Rodriguez was listed in critical condition Monday at Gillette Children's Specialty Healthcare, 3 days after he was hit by a car while crossing Concord Blvd. near 75th Street in Inver Grove Heights, Minn. on Christmas night.

"My son is a fighter, and he is a survivor," mother Taisha Rios said in a statement. "We have seen improvement in his condition in the past 24 hours and we are hopeful he will continue to improve. We truly appreciate the support that we have received, and we ask that people continue to pray for Yael."

The driver of the car, a 32-year-old man from St. Paul stopped and tried to help the boy and is cooperating with the investigation. People in the area said this has been a troublesome intersection.