A Las Vegas boy who was run over by a truck while riding his e-bike on the sidewalk suffered life-threatening injuries and survived.
Rayan Kim, 11, was struck by a 2012 Nissan Frontier around 7:30 a.m. Tuesday while heading to Gunderson Middle School.
Kim was riding his e-bike on the sidewalk when a pickup truck hit him, threw him off and ran him over near Cactus Avenue and Cliff Lake Street, just a mile from his school.
Kim was taken to University Medical Center with life-threatening injuries after the horrific crash, according to the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department.
“He lost his right ear, skin and face,” said the boy’s mother, who chose not to share her name CLASS.
In an update posted Friday to a GoFundMe In Rayan’s honor, Kristen Penny, a close family friend, revealed that the doctor said the boy is still alive, calling it a “miracle.”
Rayan Kim, 11, was hit by a pickup truck in Las Vegas on Tuesday while on his way to school. He was riding his e-bike on the sidewalk when the truck hit him. In an update on Friday, the doctor said he is still alive
The truck driver, Leo Gonzalez-Ceron, struck Kim Tuesday morning near Cactus Avenue and Cliff Lake Street, just a mile from the boy’s high school. In the photo: Kim’s e-bike on the ground
The driver, Leo Gonzalez-Ceron, 39, was not injured and showed no signs of impairment. Police said he remained at the scene after Kim was hit and they do not suspect he was impaired at the time of the incident.
The mother of three also revealed that her eldest son suffered multiple jaw fractures, a broken left arm and a brain haemorrhage as a result of the blow.
‘I miss my son. I’m scared,” Kim’s mother said.
Photos of the young boy, whose mother says he has always been by her side and “impacted everyone’s lives,” showed severe swelling and bruising on his face.
The first footage showed Kim with many tubes and wires hooked to his body as he lay in a hospital bed with his eyes closed, wearing a child’s dress and a rosary around his neck.
The heartbroken mother told KSNV: ‘He left the house before he went to school (and said) ‘Mom, I love you.’ That’s the last time I heard his voice.’
Rayan’s mother said, ‘I am his mother, but I want to tell you that he raised me. He changed me. He taught me what love is. And he’s really strong. He has a big heart.’
Rayan’s mother said he is “very strong” and “has a big heart.” The 11-year-old is the eldest of three children with a younger sister and brother
The mother of three revealed that her son also suffered multiple jaw fractures, a broken left arm and a brain haemorrhage as a result of the blow. Police said the driver remained at the scene after hitting the boy
During her interview, the child’s mother also held tightly to a rosary as she advocated to stop bicycle accidents in the area.
“We don’t need more victims,” the mother said.
“We need to teach them and show them what true love is and what is safe, and how to save future children.”
There have been 10 fatal pedestrian accidents in Las Vegas in the past 29 days, according to a police report.
There were a total of 16 fatal collisions, including multi-vehicle crashes, an increase of 80 percent from last year, according to the department.
“This is a trend we can’t continue, Las Vegas!”
“WE are all part of this community, and we need everyone to take immediate personal responsibility for safety to combat the increasing number of fatal collisions,” the post said.
The high school student was involved in his Catholic church, enjoyed playing the clarinet and also enjoyed doing jijitsu
“I’m his mother, but I want to tell you that he raised me. He changed me. He taught me what love is. And he’s really strong. He has a big heart,” Rayan’s mother said of him
“Rayan is such a bright light in everyone’s lives and a very caring older brother to his younger sister and younger brother,” the donation page said.
It was further said that Rayan enjoyed spending time at his Catholic church, where he played the clarinet and practiced jiu jitsu.
The boy’s high school also organized donations, as community members were encouraged to drop off cards and gift cards for Rayan and his family on Friday.
Along with the update, Penny shared images of Rayan in his hospital bed with a rosary, a photo of Jesus and a black panther stuffed animal by his side.
Penny said, “God’s courage and power has covered the sky in these times!”