Family speaks out after 12-year-old boy hit by car in West Jordan

SALT LAKE CITY — A 12-year-old boy from West Jordan is in the hospital dealing with major trauma to his brain.

Rockwell Gundersen — "Rock" — was hit by a car while riding an electric scooter a block from his house just three days ago; now his family is speaking out about the long road to recovery ahead.

His aunt, Laura Thomas, said his sister found the scene that afternoon.

"It was just a normal evening," Thomas said. "He grabbed his helmet, said, 'Hey, I'm going out for a ride.' His sister yelled, 'Love you!'"

When Rock wasn't home a little while later, his sister went looking for him. "She saw his scooter there on the ground and knew immediately that it was her brother," Thomas said.

Rock was unresponsive at the scene. This happened at about 4 p.m. at 5200 W. 6300 South on Cyclamen Way in West Jordan. Thomas said he was intubated and flown immediately to Primary Children's Hospital in Salt Lake City.

Thomas said even though he was wearing a helmet, Rock suffered fractures all over his face and head. "They had him on sedation to try to help calm his nervous system and his brain. And when they would bring him off of it, he would start seizing," Thomas said.

At one point, Thomas described how doctors brought down the sedation to test his responsiveness.

"They had my sister calling out his name and he had — little tears started going down his face," Thomas said.

Thomas said Rock is one of five siblings and an exceptional boy. "This kid really was perfect. He was a great, great kid. Is a great kid. Sweet, outgoing as any 12-year-old boy, active."

She said helmets are a must in Rock's household. "My sister is actually a 911 dispatcher and so she would get these calls. She made sure her kids knew what to do to be safe."

Right now, Thomas said doctors are focusing on Rock's brain and lung function, but it's clear his bone injuries are extensive. "The next milestones probably would be getting him to a stable enough position that they can do a CT scan to really look at his other injuries," Thomas said.

The driver in this case is cooperating fully with police and called 911 at the scene, according to Thomas.

Rock's extended family created a fundraiser* for his medical expenses.

*KSL.com does not assure that the money deposited to the account will be applied for the benefit of the persons named as beneficiaries. If you are considering a deposit to the account, you should consult your own advisers and otherwise proceed at your own risk.

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