Ratko Ponjavić, the father of Sonja (20), a student who was struck by a car at the start of yesterday’s protest and commemoration for the victims in Novi Sad, spoke to Nova.rs about being deeply moved by Novak Đoković’s message after his match at the Australian Open. He also shared an update on his daughter’s condition.
Yesterday, shortly before noon, emergency services received a call about a traffic accident in which a car hit 20-year-old student Sonja Ponjavić.
While standing with her colleagues at the intersection of Ruzveltova and Kraljice Marije streets, a car sped through the crowd, driving over the sidewalk. It struck her, carried her on its roof for several meters, and then she fell to the ground. The car continued down the street without stopping. Sonja was transported by ambulance to the Emergency Center, admitted to the Intensive Care Unit in life-threatening condition, with multiple injuries.
Her parents have stayed by her side for the past 24 hours, but doctors’ words offer little comfort.
“I can’t calm down. I walked around the Emergency Center all night. I don’t know what to do or how to help her. We’re waiting to see if she improves, whether they’ll transfer her from Intensive Care to another ward, as they told us. My wife is with her in the hospital constantly. Sonja is just an innocent child. She’s a student, not involved in politics. She was simply standing on the sidewalk with her friends, bothering no one,” her father Ratko said tearfully.
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Meeting with Lončar
Ratko expressed gratitude to the medical team for their dedicated care, which prevented more severe consequences from the brutal impact. The parents of the injured student also met with Minister of Health Zlatibor Lončar.
“I have nothing but praise for all the doctors at the Emergency Center who did everything they could to help Sonja. Last night, we also met with the Minister of Health. I have to admit, he received us not as a minister, but as a doctor. He was shaken by the incident. I can’t fault him because he acted as a physician,” Ratko stated, adding that they would provide further updates once Sonja recovers, if she agrees to it and when the situation settles down.
Novak’s Message: “For Sonja”
What touched the family most was a gesture from Serbian tennis star Novak Đoković, who brought global attention to Sonja with a single message. Đoković dedicated his victory at the Australian Open to her.
After the match, he approached the camera, took a marker, drew a heart, and wrote: “For Sonja.”
“I couldn’t believe my eyes when I saw Novak’s message. Bless him! Amid all this worry, fear, tears, and sadness, he made us feel proud and grateful to everyone supporting our child. I believe he knows how much his gesture means to all of us and how grateful we’ll be to him forever,” Sonja’s father emphasized.
Sonja’s Current Condition
As a reminder, the latest information from the Clinical Center of Serbia indicates that patient S. P., who was injured at the intersection of Ruzveltova and Kraljice Marije streets in Belgrade, is in stable condition.
“Following additional diagnostics, it has been confirmed that the patient will not suffer any lasting effects from her injuries. She will be transferred from the Intensive Care Unit to a general ward today,” the Clinical Center stated.
They added that, based on her treatment progress and good test results, she is expected to be discharged home on Monday.
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Source: Nova.rs, Photo: Printscreen Eurosport / Printscreen Instagram