An 11-year-old boy is fighting for his life after he was hit by an alleged drunk driver while riding his bicycle and dragged 50 feet down a Colorado street.
Caleb Ingelhart was only two minutes from home when he tried to cross the street but was hit by the SUV at an intersection.
Driver Hector Garcia is accused of not immediately spotting Caleb, and passers-by say he drove on for 50 feet before stopping in Aurora on June 10.
Caleb Ingelhart is fighting for his life after being hit by an alleged drunk driver while riding his bicycle and dragged 50 feet down a Colorado street
The youngster, pictured with his mother Deborah, was only two minutes from home when he tried to cross the street but was hit by the SUV at an intersection
Caleb is seen approaching the intersection on the side of the road on June 10 before the horrific crash
CCTV footage shows the moment when the SUV (highlighted) leaves the crosswalk and continues driving
Bystanders lifted the boy’s SUV and a woman pulled him out, police said.
The boy suffered a fractured skull, brain haemorrhage, fractured shoulder blade, deep lacerations, trauma to neck tendons, road rash and other injuries.
Caleb’s mother Deborah said: The Denver Canal: ‘You wish you could do something. It’s hard when you see your child screaming for three hours because he is in so much pain.
“He should stay a kid and get back on that bike.”
Driver Hector Garcia (left) is accused of failing to notice Caleb (right) immediately and passers-by say he drove on for 50 feet before stopping
Caleb was riding his bicycle on a sidewalk off North Chambers Road and using the crosswalk when he was hit at 7:30 p.m. on June 10, documents say.
The boy suffered a fractured skull, brain haemorrhage, fractured shoulder blade, deep lacerations, trauma to neck tendons, road rash and other injuries.
Bob Ingelhart, 60, Caleb’s great-uncle, said: “His injuries are horrific and it’s a miracle he’s still alive.
“His face was swollen, he was in a neck brace and he had deep abrasions in his skin.
“The bystanders really are the heroes here. They joined forces, saved Caleb’s life and brought the driver to a halt and under control.’
Caleb was riding his bicycle on a sidewalk off North Chambers Road and using the crosswalk when he was hit at 7:30 p.m. on June 10, documents say.
Bystanders lifted the boy’s SUV and a woman pulled him out, according to police
The driver was arrested for colliding with a vehicle, driving under the influence of alcohol, driving with a suspended license and failing to yield to a pedestrian
According to an affidavit, the 32-year-old driver turned right after the collision and continued north.
He allegedly dragged the boy and his bike under his GMC Jimmy SUV for a “considerable distance,” police said, as witnesses yelled and honked for him to stop.
The driver was arrested for assault, driving under the influence of alcohol, driving with a suspended license and failing to yield to a pedestrian.
According to an affidavit of arrest, a witness told police that he saw the man hiding a ‘can of liquor’ in the back of the car before getting out to help the boy.
The affidavit says he denied this claim and was intoxicated, but later told officers he drank with his colleagues before hitting the boy and “maybe two Smirnoffs.”
Bob said Caleb is now recovering at home but “still has periods with a lot of pain.”
This content was originally published here.
