CONCORD — It's been three days since Christa Mooney's 13-year-old son, Jacob, was hit by a minivan. She says he still has a long recovery ahead of him, but he's making progress.
IMAGES: Teen hit by van leaving football game recovering
Jacob Mooney was walking in a crosswalk Friday night after the football game at Cox Mill High School in Concord. Troopers say he was hit by a 16-year-old driver.
Teen hit by van during Concord football game expected to recover
Monday, Christa Mooney says her son spoke for the first time since he was hit.
"He said 'I love you Mom!' Those were the first words I've heard since I got the call that night. It was really an emotional thing for me," she says.
Christa Mooney remembers the night Jacob Mooney was hit. The rest of the family was home when they got the call.
Christa Mooney recalls, "I just answered the phone and the guy on the other line said: you've got to get to the high school. Jacob's been hit by a car."
The family rushed over but wasn't allowed near the scene.
Christa Mooney says she didn't know how badly Jacob Mooney was hurt until they got to the hospital.
Incredibly while he suffered a bad concussion and serious scrapes, he didn't have any broken bones.
Christa Mooney says, "It was just -- I don't know, a miracle to be honest with you. People who saw it happen said it was just a miracle."
Christa Mooney is thankful for the outpouring of support from the community -- online and in person.
She hopes every family hugs their children a little tighter tonight.
Christa Mooney says, "It could change in a second like it almost did for us."
Troopers told us the 16-year-old driver wasn't speeding and their investigation found the teen wasn't using a cell phone around the time of the crash.
The Cabarrus County District Attorney has chosen not to file charges against the driver.