Police: Teen athlete Tsvetomir Petrushev hit by car, driver kept going

GWINNETT COUNTY, Ga. -- A star high school athlete in Gwinnett County is in the hospital after a car hit him and the driver kept on going.

Tsvetomir Petrushev, 17, is a junior at Peachtree Ridge High School and a two-time 5A wrestling state champion. He was hit early Sunday moing walking home from his girlfriend's house in Norcross on Williams Road.

Family members told Channel 2's Amy Napier Viteri that Petrushev is in a drug-induced coma and had surgery Sunday. He has a broken jaw, pelvis and serious head injuries.

His father, Stefan Petrushev, said Tsvetomir opened his eyes briefly Monday.

"(He is a) special boy. Last night was the longest in my life. He tried to open his eye, but he can't very well, Petrushev said.

Coaches said the teen managed to give a thumbs up to let them know he understood them. Now family members are hopeful someone will come forward with information about who hit Petrushev.

"To say I’m sorry. He needs to stop. He needs to come tell us, ‘I’m sorry (that) this happened,’ Stefan Petrushev said.

Tsvetomir Petrushev remains in critical condition.