The Eyrie

PINE HILLS, FL — A 4-year-old boy is recovering after an SUV crashed through a wall at a Pine Hills child care center, leaving him with visible injuries but now out of the hospital. His grandmother, Dominique Montgomery, said Armani Francillion is smiling, laughing and back in good spirits after the frightening collision at Tattle Tales Learning Center.

Montgomery said she rushed to Florida after learning what had happened. Seeing her grandson awake and reacting normally in the hospital, she said, brought a wave of relief after an experience she described as overwhelming and emotional. The family is now focused on helping Armani continue healing while also processing the memories the crash left behind.

Grandmother says the hospital visit brought relief after fear

Montgomery said the first time she saw Armani after the crash, she did not know what to feel. The child was smiling and laughing, which helped ease some of the panic that followed the news that an SUV had struck the daycare building.

She said the moment was emotional because it showed her grandson had survived something that could have been far worse. While the injuries were visible, she said his mood and energy helped reassure the family that he was improving. That comfort, she said, came quickly once she saw him responding like himself again.

Her comments reflected the strain families face when a young child is injured in a sudden accident, especially one that happens at a place meant to be safe. For Montgomery, the hospital visit marked the start of recovery, both physically and emotionally, for the child and his relatives.

The boy still talks about the crash and remembers the emergency response

Even after leaving the hospital, Armani has not completely put the incident behind him. Montgomery said he sometimes blurts out, “The car smash. It hurt,” showing that the crash remains fresh in his mind.

She also said he remembered seeing emergency personnel at the scene after the wreck. The family showed him images from the response, and he recognized the people who had been there. Montgomery called that reaction “chilling,” but said it also showed that he is healing and still able to process what happened.

Those memories appear to have stuck with him despite his young age. Montgomery said the family is taking comfort in the fact that he can describe pieces of the event, even if the recollection is unsettling for everyone involved.

Visible injuries gave way to a steadier recovery at home

Montgomery said Armani’s injuries were obvious after the crash, and that the child appeared to be in pain while lying in the hospital bed. She described him as unable to move comfortably and said “everything hurt him” during the worst part of the recovery.

Now, she says, the difference is striking. Armani has been discharged and is doing much better, and the family sees him as active and upbeat again. Montgomery said it almost feels as if he had never been hurt, even though the crash left a strong mark on everyone around him.

The family’s relief is tied to how serious the situation could have been. Montgomery said she is grateful the wreck was not worse, and she contrasted his survival with the heartbreak other families endure when children are killed in accidents.

Tattle Tales Learning Center remained closed after the wreck

As of Tuesday, Tattle Tales Learning Center was still closed following the crash. The shutdown underscored the disruption the incident caused for the daycare, where Armani was inside when the SUV smashed through a wall.

The exact conditions that led to the vehicle entering the building were not detailed in the family’s account, but the impact was severe enough to send the child to the hospital. The scene left a lasting impression on Armani, who continues to reference what happened in simple, direct language.

For now, Montgomery said the family’s attention is on Armani’s recovery. The little boy is home, smiling and laughing again, but the crash remains part of the family’s daily conversation as they work through the aftermath.

A family now measuring progress in small steps

Montgomery’s remarks showed how recovery after a traumatic accident often comes in small moments. A smile, a laugh or a child recognizing familiar people can mean a great deal after a frightening event.

She said those signs have been especially meaningful because the family feared much worse when they first learned what had happened. The crash, the hospital stay and the lingering memories have all shaped how they view Armani’s progress now.

While the daycare remains closed and questions about the crash itself remain part of the background, the family is concentrating on the child’s health. For Montgomery, the most important fact is that Armani is alive, improving and able to talk about what happened as he continues to recover.