A 12-year-old boy named Wyatt Lopez is currently recovering at Oishei Children's Hospital in Buffalo after a harrowing incident where he was struck by a drunk driver. The incident occurred on Monday, July 15th around 3:30pm. as Wyatt was crossing Niagara Street. In an interview with WKBW, his mother Regina Bowden shared the details of the accident and expressed her deep concern for her son's well-being.
"I haven't really slept that much. Just looking at him makes me cry. The amount of pain that he's in, I wish I could take it from him," said Bowden. "So far, he has two broken femurs and a broken pelvis. His right eye doesn't move to the right all the way, and they're still conducting more tests."
According to Bowden, Wyatt was returning home from a local pool with his friends and younger brother when the accident occurred. Fortunately, a nurse happened to be in one of the cars nearby and immediately stabilized Wyatt's neck until emergency medical services arrived.
The Buffalo Police have since arrested the 36-year-old driver responsible for the incident and charged him with driving while intoxicated (DWI). Bowden shared that Wyatt has been grappling with the question of why the driver did not slow down, and the reality of the situation has begun to sink in for him.
"He did ask me once why didn't the driver slow down and stuff like that. Today, I think is when reality set in a little bit," said Bowden. "He's realizing how bad it is and what's going on with him."
Bowden, a mother of seven, is now faced with the challenge of making ends meet while supporting Wyatt's recovery. A GoFundMe campaign has been set up to assist with the expenses associated with his long road to recovery.
"He'll be in a wheelchair for six to eight weeks and then he'll have to come back for about six months to a year," explained Bowden. "He has four different specialists he'll have to see and we don't have a car. The bus doesn't come to the hospital, so it's going to be Ubers and that's going to cost around $250 a week."
Bowden concluded with a heartfelt message of encouragement for her son, saying, "Stay strong and keep fighting. Get there sooner than you think."
The community is rallying behind Wyatt and his family during this difficult time. Those who wish to contribute to his recovery can donate to the GoFundMe HERE . We send our thoughts and well wishes to Wyatt Lopez and his family as he embarks on his journey to recovery. May he find strength and support in the days ahead.