A 14-year-old electric scooter rider who was badly injured when he was struck by a vehicle Tuesday evening in Orcutt has been treated at two hospitals for an assortment of injuries.
The boy’s mom, Brittany Bruno, provided an update on son Luke’s condition while sharing about the call that no parent wants to receive.
She said she recalled the caller saying, “Your son has been hit by a car. Paramedics are on their way.”
Taken initially to Marian Regional Medical Center, the teen’s diagnosis included a lacerated spleen, pulmonary hemorrhage, and a concussion after losing consciousness twice.
With the severity of his injuries, he was transferred to Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital so he could be seen by a trauma surgeon, his mom said, adding that other scans revealed a hairline fracture in his left knee.
“Luke has endured two ambulance rides, countless scans, X-rays and lab tests. He has now been referred out to a concussion clinic in Goleta and must receive medical clearance before he is allowed to return to school,” she said.
The incident occurred about 6:05 p.m. Tuesday, when the California Highway Patrol received reports of a vehicle-versus-pedestrian crash near Foster Road and Woodland Street, across from Ernest Righetti High School, CHP Officer Maria Barriga said.
CHP officers responded to the scene along with personnel from the Santa Barbara County Fire Department and American Medical Response.
Investigators said that a white GMC Yukon traveling west on Foster Road, near the intersection of Woodland Street, struck the teen as he attempted to cross Foster.
Bruno said her son was riding his scooter to a friend’s house when he stopped at the crosswalk in front of the high school.
“After pressing the crossing signal, he began to cross,” the mom said.
A vehicle turning left onto Woodland Avenue stopped for the rider, but a white SUV continuing straight did not stop, hitting the teen, Bruno said.
She has launched a GoFundMe campaign. As of Thursday evening, it had raised more than $4,000.
“We are beyond grateful that God spared Luke’s life that night. The fact that he survived without more severe injuries is truly a miracle,” Bruno said. “But the emotional and financial toll has been overwhelming. Between medical expenses, treatments and ongoing care, our family is facing a significant financial burden — all because of a driver’s negligence.”