6-year-old recovering after being struck by vehicle in Graham

A six-year-old Graham child is recovering from injuries after being struck by a vehicle on Kentucky St. in Graham Wednesday.

Graham Police Department responded to a vehicle versus bicycle wreck Wednesday, March 31, in the 800 block of Kentucky St. Upon arrival and investigation, GPD officers learned a six-year-old male child had ridden into the street on a Hyper 350 electric bike which resembles a small dirt bike. As the child crossed the road from one residence drive to another, he was struck by a vehicle driven by Iris Castro Martinez, 23, of Graham.

According to GPD, the driver was operating the vehicle without a valid driver’s license and was issued a citation for not having a valid license. GPD reported that the driver complied with the requirements of the law after the wreck occurred. GPD responded at 8:06 p.m. to the incident and according to department, the sun began to set at 7:54 p.m.

“At the time the accident occurred, the sun had set or was setting, and visibility was limited due to the falling darkness. The electric bike ridden by the child had no reflectors or lights. The parent officers spoke to during the investigation, reported that he was inside his residence when the incident occurred, and he was notified about the incident by another child who was present when it happened,” GPD wrote in a press release.

After completing their investigation and speaking to a parent of the child involved, GPD learned the child had ridden his bike in the street in the past, which a witness reported they had seen on more than one occasion. The parent advised officers they had spoken to their child about this in the past.

According to the release, the parent reported to GPD they ran out to the street, picked up the child and transported him to the hospital. A GoFundMe page has been set up from the family which states the child had to be airlifted following the incident to Cook Children’s Hospital in Fort Worth. The family discovered he had lacerations on his kidney, spleen and liver.

“He also has a buckle fracture on his left hip, broken hand, broken rib, partially deflated lung and multiple scrapes and bruises. He has a long road of recovery ahead of him, from Doctor appointments, physical therapy and much more,” the GoFundMe page from the family states.