Janae Edmonson’s father takes the stand in Daniel Riley’s trial

ST. LOUIS, Mo. (First Alert 4) - Janae Edmonson’s father took the stand Tuesday during the second day of the trial of the man accused of running over Janae in February 2023.

Janae Edmondson was in downtown St. Louis for a volleyball tournament when she was hit by a car that Riley was allegedly driving. She lost her legs as a result.

Janae Edmonson’s father James testified that he heard a car speeding up. That is when prosecutors say that Riley went through a yield sign and pinned Janae Edmondson between a parked car and the SUV he was driving. James Edmonson spoke on the moment bystanders rushed in to save his daughter’s life.

“I turned to my right to grab Janae. I looked down at her and she was yelling, ‘Dad! I can’t feel my legs! I can’t feel my legs!” James Edmonson said. “My mind went from father mode to military mode and when I saw her legs severed and I knew she only had seconds and not minutes, my mind just kind of blocked everything out and it was like God had control of my hands at the time.”

James Edmonson also talked about how used a belt that belonged to someone who was ing by to help save Janae Edmondon’s life. James Edmonson held the belt up during his testimony.

“This is the belt that I used from the gentleman who came upon the scene. As I could use her blanket, I needed a belt. He just reached down with his belt...I don’t know who that is, I want to tell him how much I appreciate him giving me this belt because it saved my daughter’s life. I’m still trying to find out who he was.”

“It was a miraculous thing that happened,” James Edmonson said as he demonstrated what he did with the belt.

Riley had Codine, THC and fentanyl in his system at the time.

Janae Edmondson was not in court Tuesday but prosecutors are expecting her to testify. One member of the jury was also not in court Tuesday. A trial usually has two alternative jurors, but the judge selected four for the case.

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