Daniel Van Pelt was driving the Ford Escort when he was allegedly hit by Ovidio Rivera almost a week ago. Rivera goes by many names and police now think he may have fled south.

At home, Daniel is resting under the care of his family and girlfriend. He says he's getting by, even with severe injuries.

Daniel's mother, Michele Van Pelt, says, "I think the thing that has gotten me through is the fact that he is alive."

Last Wednesday night, Daniel was hit head on by an alleged drunk driver, Ovidio Rivera. Virginia State Police say Rivera may have fled to North Carolina.

They're still actively searching Harrisonburg for him, but they are also following leads further south.

VSP Sgt. Bryan Hutcheson says, "We're going to continue to try to run him down, hopefully get some calls. Maybe someone will realize that he's wanted. We've got four warrants on him and maybe give us a call and help us out."

Daniel's injuries are severe. He sits inside his Mount Crawford home with both arms wrapped in ace bandages and gauze from finger tip to below the shoulder.

The Marine describes the initial pain as excruciating. He says, when he was being taken to the hospital, it wasn't the view on an ambulance he wanted to see.

Unable to care for himself, Daniel says his broken wrists, elbow and dislocated hands look as if they have too many joints.

With a surgery coming up on Friday, Michele has a message for Rivera.

She says, "You could have ended my son's life. Thankfully we were celebrating Mother's Day instead of attending a funeral."