KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WOKI / WVLT) – An Afghan immigrant family is receiving an outpouring of support from the Knoxville community after their 4-year-old daughter was critically injured in a crash outside the family’s food truck business Wednesday night.
The Center for English and Integration Services, based at West Lonsdale Baptist Church, has worked with the family for the past four years and quickly mobilized support after learning of the incident.
Cayla Graner, a childcare coordinator with the center, said she immediately recognized the family when reports of the crash emerged.
“I saw there was a mention of a food truck, and immediately I knew. My heart really sunk,” Graner said. “This family’s been through a lot, in general, and this is just another obstacle.”
According to Graner, the girl’s father came to Knoxville as an Afghan immigrant, learned English through the center’s programs, found employment and eventually opened his own food truck business. He and his wife are raising four children and are active members of West Lonsdale Baptist Church.
Graner said the family’s immediate concern is their daughter’s recovery, leaving the father unable to operate the food truck and earn income.
“The father has a food truck. Obviously, he cannot be at the food truck at this moment, so he is not getting paid,” Graner said. “We just wanted to support the family, and I’m sure there will be many hospital bills.”
A fundraising effort launched through GoFundMe has already raised nearly $1,000 to help the family with expenses during the child’s hospitalization and recovery.
Graner said the community response reflects the organization’s mission of supporting immigrant families as they build new lives in East Tennessee.
“Here at the Center for English, we really, really do call ourselves family,” she said. “It doesn’t matter where you come from. If you’re here, you’re family.”
According to Knoxville Police Department investigators, the crash happened shortly after 9 p.m. Wednesday near the intersection of Merchants Drive and Cedar Lane.
Police say 54-year-old Charles Jump, who reportedly worked for the food truck owner, became involved in an argument with the child’s father. Investigators said that as Jump drove away, his vehicle struck the 4-year-old girl while she was playing near the curb.
Authorities said Jump had an active domestic assault warrant from Sevier County and was driving on a revoked license at the time of the incident. He remains in custody.
Knoxville Police have not indicated whether additional charges will be filed. The investigation remains active as the child continues to fight for recovery in critical condition.
