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Tollway Wreck Survivor To Leave Hospital

Photo from Tammy Rosian

Summer Moll is expected to be released from a hospital Saturday after undergoing multiple operations. She has casts on both arms, a brace on her neck and pins in both legs.

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By TOM BRENNAN

tbrennan@tampatrib.com

Published: October 18, 2008

TAMPA - Summer Moll, the 4-year-old who survived a head-on crash on the Selmon Crosstown Expressway that killed her mother, will begin a brief homecoming today before entering a rehabilitation program within a month.

Hillsborough County Circuit Judge Martha Cook this week gave temporary custody of the girl to her maternal grandparents, Tammy and Arthur Rosian of Brandon. She chose the Rosians over Summer's father, Joshua Adam Moll, who also sought custody.

Summer has been hospitalized for five weeks since the Sept. 10 crash that killed her mother, Jennifer O'Boyle, 24.

Cheryl Maria Riemann, 25, of Ruskin, is charged with DUI manslaughter in the wreck. Investigators say Riemann was driving the wrong way on the lower portion of the crosstown expressway just east of the 78th Street toll plaza. Her blood-alcohol level was nearly three times the level at which Florida law presumes intoxication, investigators say. She remains in Orient Road Jail with no bail set.

Summer is expected to be released from a local hospital today after having undergone multiple operations, having casts on both arms, a brace on her neck and pins in both legs.

The grandparents declined to comment, saying through their attorney Jennifer Reh that they want to focus on preparing for Summer's release. Reh said the family remains optimistic despite the additional future treatment.

"It is just unbelievable that she is healing so fast and doing so well," Reh said. "It's amazing."

Reh said the Rosians welcome Joshua Moll's participation in Summer's recovery.

She said the grandparents will "offer a lot of avenues for Joshua Moll to be involved in the short term if he chooses."

"The best thing for this child it to have the most people involved in her life who care about her," Reh said. "The more, the better."

Ted Rechel, the father's attorney, said his client moved to Tampa from Texas the day after the collision.

"He is here because he wants to raise his daughter. That is his only focus," he said.
Rechel said Moll got an apartment within two blocks of the hospital and obtained a special hospital bed and wheelchair Summer needs in anticipation of having her move in with him. He said Moll found a job as a heavy machine operator on a construction project on the hospital's grounds.

"He loves his little girl, and she knows and responds to him," Rechel said.

He said Moll didn't get a full hearing before Cook on Thursday.

"We were not able to bring all our evidence forward and when we do, we expect there will be a different result," he said.

Cook is scheduled to review the case Dec. 1. Rechel said he may ask for reconsideration sooner.

Reporter Tom Brennan can be reached at (813) 259-7698.

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