Bicycle accident victim Justin Little on the mend

Justin Little

The 13-year-old Brownsboro boy whose bicycle collided with a pick-up truck near Jennings Mountain two weeks ago is recovering quite well considering. After spending three days in Parkland Hospital's Intensive Care Unit, in Dallas, and two days in a private room, Justin Little, a 7th grade student at Brownsboro Junior High School returned home last Tuesday.

On Thursday evening, March 8, Justin was out riding his new 26-inch, 21-speed mountain bike when the incident happened.

"I was going down the hill from Jennings Mountain cemetery as fast as my bike would go when I saw the truck," Justin said. "I put on my brakes but couldn't stop because I was skidding on the gravel. He was almost stopped and I mostly hit him. That was the last thing I remember."

Trish Kirkpatrick was on the scene and called 9-1-1, Justin's grandfather George Little said.

"I'm thankful for those people," Mr. Little said. "The man that hit him and the Kirkpatricks stayed with Justin until the ambulance came. He might have bled to death if it wasn't for them. I give them credit for saving his life."

Mr. Little is also very thankful for the efficiency of the Brownsboro Volunteer Fire Department first responders.

"That fire department has a lot of training," he said. "They were really good at taking care of him."

At the time of the accident Mr. Little said he was out looking at a job with his sonin law, Tracy Harris. Upon their return home Mr. Little said his yard was full of people.

"That's when I found out," he said. "We went straight to the pasture where Justin was being loaded into the helicopter. "

Not knowing the extent of Justin's head injury, ETMC Air 1 was called to land in Mary Voyles' pasture just north of Jennings Mountain.

Mr. Little said Justin's mother Farrah Harris and her husband Tracy, drove straight to Parkland Hospital.

"We didn't know anything for a long time," said Mr. Little's wife Carol. "We felt so helpless. Now we're waiting and letting him get well."

It wasn't until Mr. and Mrs. Little made the trip to Parkland Hospital the next day that they learned of Justin's injuries: a broken leg, fractured left arm, concussion, road burns, and many internal injuries.

"We thought he only had a broke leg and a cut on his head," Mr. Little said.

In the meantime, Justin's classmates rallied around and began creating posters and cards to be taken to him.

"I thought that was kind of cool," Justin said.

Others in the community offered help and prayers for the family, as well.

"It's amazing when tragedy strikes how the community comes together," Mr. Little said. "Whether you're black or white it doesn't matter."

Although it will be awhile before Justin will ride a bike again, he said he does plan to get back on.

"I had just got that bike, too," he said. "I had been saving my money up for it and bought it. Then I wrecked it."

These days, Justin is taking each day as it comes. He says he is still experiencing quite a bit of pain, and is still trying to absorb all that has happened to him.

Although spending spring break recuperating wasn't in Justin's plans, he did receive numerous visitors and wellwishers.

"I'm so glad he's home," Mr. Little said. "It was just an accident. We don't blame anybody."