Friends and family members of a Lawrence social worker gravely injured by a hit-and-run driver were maintaining a somber vigil at her bedside Friday in a Kansas City, Kan., hospital.

“The doctor said it’s pretty grim,” said Heidi Bieker, a co-worker and friend of 24-year-old Heather Coulter.

At 11:30 p.m. Wednesday, Coulter was standing outside her stalled car at 19th and Iowa streets when she was struck by a car driven by a 17-year-old Lawrence girl. Coulter was taken to KU Med with an open skull fracture and other broken bones.

She was listed in critical condition Friday afternoon.

Colleagues from The Farm Inc., a private Douglas County foster care firm where Coulter works, were maintaining a vigil at the hospital with Coulter’s parents from Chanute.

“A lot of us have been there throughout the day,” said Bieker, an administrative assistant at The Farm.

Police arrested the 17-year-old girl on suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol and leaving the scene of an injury accident. She was released into the custody of a parent.

“We are investigating that alcohol is a contributing factor in the accident,” Lawrence Police Sgt. Mike Pattrick said Friday. “We will submit a report to the District Attorney’s Office. They will do formal charges after a review.”

Douglas County Assistant Dist. Atty. Dan Dunbar said late Friday that prosecutors were still reviewing the case. A decision on charges could be made Monday.

According to police, witnesses said Coulter’s car broke down in the right southbound lane at 19th and Iowa streets. She got out of the car and put up the hood.

One witness told police she saw a sports car fishtailing toward Coulter’s stalled vehicle, then witnessed Coulter being hit, sending her flying.

The 17-year-old girl told police “the force of the wreck knocked the keys from the ignition.” She restarted her car and continued driving south to 21st Street when a passenger told her she should pull over.

Police said the suspect’s car also hit another vehicle, driven by an 18-year-old Lawrence man, when she swerved to avoid Coulter’s car.

Bieker said Coulter had not regained consciousness since the accident and was breathing only with the aid of a respirator. Coulter was moved Friday from intensive care to the surgical unit.

Bieker said Coulter worked tirelessly on behalf of foster children and their families.

“She’s just a really hard worker, really dedicated, really tries hard to get the families back together,” Bieker said. “She’s wonderful at what she did.”

Tom Slater, chief administrator of the Farm Corp in Emporia, said Coulter’s accident had shaken her co-workers and those who know her.

“There are a lot of prayers headed her way,” he said. “This a young lady who donated her love to the children she works with. She has just a tremendous talent for dealing with kids.”