Injured by shopping cart, she's 'sorry' for teens who did it

Video: Victim of shopping cart prank speaks out

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   >> of a dangerous prank at a shopping mall here in new york city is speaking out for the first time. she was nearly killed last year when two teenagers tossed a shopping cart off a parking garage . the incident was captured on surveillance video. we should warn you these images are graphic. nbc's jeff rossen is in harlem with the story. hey, jeff, good morning.

   >> hey, ann, good morning to you. by all accounts, this woman shouldn't have survived this attack. i mean, you know, it's amazing she's alive, let alone walking around, out and about, and talking, as well. you're going to hear from her in just a moment. but first i want to tell you exactly what happened. last year she was outside this target store in harlem after buying candy, halloween candy, for needy kids in the area. that's when a couple of teenagers were on the fourth floor parking deck of this shopping center and threw a shopping cart over the side, hitting marianne here on the ground and crushing her. all of it caught on tape.

   >> i'm going to a doctor's therapy, and i just hope that i feel better and better soon. it's been a long haul.

   >> reporter: you're watching a miracle in progress. marion hedges, beating the odds. this surveillance video shows the moment of impact outside a target in harlem . two teenagers pushing that shopping cart off this parking garage , smashing into marion , 50 feet down. she collapsed in a heap, as her 13-year-old son watched. at the time, mere survival seemed unlikely, let alone this sidewalk interview taped monday.

   >> a little makeup and hair helps. i'm doing one day at a time. i don't have eyesight out of my left eye . no vision. so my optical nerve was damaged. so it affects my walking. i only have one eye that works. so i have to -- it's hard to see close or far. it's a work in progress .

   >> reporter: marion was here buying candy for needy inner city children when it happened. before the accident, she was a well-known social activist . but on this day, halloween day , 2011 , these two teenagers, in the very neighborhood where she volunteered, dumped a cart as a joke, a prank.

   >> what about the two young boys who did this?

   >> i had nothing to do with that. so i am only focusing on recovery and we're focusing on helping other young boys that need help. but i really can't help those young men.

   >> reporter: the boys have both pled guilty to assault, now serving time in group homes. and if you're impressed by marion 's bravery, listen to what she said next about the teenagers who nearly killed her.

   >> i can't help them but i wish them well. i do. because i feel very sorry for them.

   >> reporter: marion 's father-in-law, not as forgiving.

   >> you have words for them as all.

   >> they should be hung by their toenails.

   >> reporter: there was one teenager there who tried to stop the attack. in the minutes before the tape shows she pushes the cart back inside but something happens off camera, he runs away, and the two boys lift it over, sealing marion 's fate.

   >> a shopping mall is not a place for young children to be hanging out.

   >> what an incredible woman. we should tell you at least one of the boys who pled guilty in that attack has said he is sorry for any pain and suffering he has caused. by the way, marion hedges' family is now suing this shopping center claiming a lack of security. we contacted the shopping center late last night. they would not comment because of the pending litigation. but told us in a statement, quote, our prayers for a complete recovery remain with mrs. hedges, and her family. but just an amazing woman, ann.

   >> all right, jeff rossen , thank

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