Tragedy on Baseline Road: A Preventable Accident Leaves a Teenager Struggling to Recover
In a heartbreaking incident, a 16-year-old boy was struck by a car while riding his bike to school in Lafayette, Colorado. The accident, which occurred just two days after another student was hit on the same road, has left the community shaken and the victim's family fighting for improved safety measures to prevent such tragedies from happening again.A Devastating Collision, a Family's Anguish
A Routine Commute Turns Tragic
On the morning of September 6th, 16-year-old Myers Graham was biking to Centaurus High School with his friends, as he did every day. The sophomore had taken all the necessary precautions – he was wearing a helmet and had pushed the button to activate the flashing lights at the crosswalk. Yet, despite these safety measures, he was struck by a car, leaving him in the intensive care unit with a traumatic brain injury, a fractured clavicle, and the removal of his spleen.A Mother's Heartbreak
Myers' mother, Heather Graham, has been by his side ever since the accident, watching as her son struggles to regain his ability to speak. She describes the harrowing experience of seeing her son in the hospital, sometimes awake and sometimes sleeping, but always fighting to recover. "Sometimes he's awake, sometimes he's sleeping," she said. "He's opening his eyes, he's not speaking, but I know he's there."A Community in Mourning
The accident has had a profound impact on the community, with friends and loved ones flooding Myers' hospital room with cards, flowers, and messages of support. His mother describes him as a "joy to all who know him," and the outpouring of love and concern from the community is a testament to the impact he has had on those around him.A Call for Improved Safety Measures
In the wake of the accident, concerned parents from the community have begun volunteering as crossing guards during school hours, a gesture that Heather Graham is grateful for. However, she insists that the accident was preventable and calls for more comprehensive safety measures to be implemented on Baseline Road, where two students have now been struck in less than 24 hours.A Glimmer of Hope
Despite the immense challenges facing Myers and his family, Heather Graham remains hopeful. She describes her son as a "fighter" and the "most positive person" she knows, and she is determined to wait for him and support him every step of the way. "He's a fighter. He's the most positive person I know, and he knows I'm there," she said. "I'm going to wait for him. It's just going to take a very long time, but he's making progress. Every day is a little bit better."