Family of teen hit by car asks drivers to slow down and watch for bikes

Two bicycle accidents in under a week in northern Utah have families pleading with drivers to slow down and watch for bikes.

An 8-year-old died in Weber County after being struck. In Kearns, a high school student was critically injured.

Ian Brinkerhoff, the son of KSL’s Don Brinkerhoff, was riding with his mom, Alayna, and turning into the Oquirrh Park Fitness Center off Cougar Lane, when his family says a driver slammed into him, throwing Ian into the air. He’s been in a medically-induced coma ever since.

Alayna Brinkerhoff says she doesn’t know why the driver didn’t see her son, but she feels bad for that person.

“No one wants to live through that. No one wants to have to deal with that the rest of their lives,” she said. “I don’t know what the circumstances are. I don’t know if that kid was speeding, I don’t know if he was on his phone. I don’t know why he didn’t see him.”

The Brinkerhoffs are asking drivers to be alert and aware at all times.

“Ian was in the intersection. The light was green. He had the right of way to turn left,” she said.

Ian, a student at Kearns High School, suffered a torn aortic valve and brain swelling along with a broken hip, leg and thumb. He’s had at least two surgeries – one to repair the damage to his heart, and the other to repair the fractures in his leg. The family is now waiting to see whether he will have any permanent or long-term injuries.

Counselors have been on hand at Kearns High, not just to help students struggling with Ian’s accident, but several tragedies and accidents affecting their community this summer.

Family members have been raising money to help cover the cost of Ian’s medical care.

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