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Family says teen’s survival after highway crash is a miracle
The family of a 17-year-old boy says it is a miracle he is alive after being struck by a car on Interstate 95 in Daytona Beach.
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. - The family of a 17-year-old boy says it is a miracle he is alive after being struck by a car on Interstate 95 in Daytona Beach.
Joaquin LaBounty, a student-athlete at Seabreeze High School who has Down syndrome, was injured last week after running into traffic, according to his family.
The backstory:
The teen ran up an entrance ramp near Interstate 95 and State Road 92, climbed a fence and crossed multiple lanes of traffic before entering the fast lane, where he was struck by a driver who could not stop in time, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.
Authorities said the driver was not at fault and is cooperating with investigators.
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A witness stopped to help Joaquin until emergency crews arrived. He was taken to a hospital with multiple broken bones, his family said.
Joaquin LaBounty
Family members say Joaquin has undergone several surgeries and faces a difficult recovery but is making progress. He remains hospitalized with serious injuries, including a wired jaw.
"It’s a blessing that he’s still with us," his father said.
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The family hopes Joaquin will be able to attend his high school graduation in May, even if he must do so in a wheelchair.
They say he has strong support from relatives, friends and his school community as he continues his recovery.
The Source: This story was written based on information shared by the Florida Highway Patrol and Arcadia and Charles LaBounty, parents of Joaquin LaBounty.