Christen Wilson will never be able to erase the memory of what happened on July 17, 2025. What started as a normal day turned into a heartbreaking tragedy in the blink of an eye. As she was backing her car out of the driveway, she felt a bump. At first, she had no clue what had happened. Moments later, her world was shattered when she learned she had accidentally run over her 2-year-old daughter, Iris.
“I don’t know, but I thought I felt a bump and, anyway, Roger, my stepfather, saw my baby girl outside, and he said, Christen, Iris is on the ground,” she told Fox 5, clearly still in shock. “I couldn’t even speak. I just ran and I seen her and I picked her up and I started CPR and my mind was racing, and I was in shock. I was in total shock. And I’m still in shock.”
Little Iris was rushed by first responders to Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta – Scottish Rite, where doctors placed her in a medically induced coma. Christen has not left her daughter’s side since and plans to stay with her for as long as it takes.
Iris’ father, Shane Wilson, also spoke out and made it clear that the accident was no one’s fault. “It seemed more like a miscommunication. Somebody thought that the other one had them, you know. Just make sure you know,” he said.
Christen echoed the warning. “It took a brief second literally,” she said. “It just didn’t register, it didn’t click. I don’t know what happened but all I seen was my little girl on the ground, and it takes a second, so please y’all, just don’t make the same mistake.”
Since the accident, the community has rallied around the Wilson family. Social media feeds have turned pink with messages of love and support using the phrase “Pink for Iris.” Friends, family, and even strangers are offering words of encouragement and powerful prayers for the toddler’s recovery.
“For Christen Wilson and her family to give little Iris what she needs, to let mama stay with her as much as possible and the needs of her [two] boys. Also for any ongoing medical that will more than likely continue after she is home,” a family friend shared online. “More than anything pray for her little body to rest and heal. Christen my heart is with you darlin.”
“Calling all prayer warriors for Christen Wilson and her sweet precious baby Iris who is fighting hard!!! Let’s spread some pink around for our little warrior princess,” another post read.
Loved ones have set up a GoFundMe to help cover medical bills and ease some of the financial pressure. So far, they’ve raised nearly $3,000, and donations continue to come in as people hear about the family’s story and want to help in any way they can.
Now the Wilsons are holding onto hope and asking others to learn from their pain. It only takes a second.