11-year-old hit while riding bike to school remains hospitalized, family says

An 11-year-old boy who was struck by a vehicle Tuesday in west Wichita while riding his bicycle to school is still hospitalized, his family said Thursday.

Nathan Patrick, a fifth-grader at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Schools, is in a “medical sedation in order to allow his brain injuries to heal,” his father, Matt Veith, said in a phone interview. Patrick was riding his bicycle to school Tuesday morning when he was hit while crossing Central.

Veith said his son is like most 11-year-old boys.

“Nathan is a very energetic and loving child,” he said. “The running joke in our family is vacation is ‘where’s Nathan?’ You know anytime we go on hikes or walk around stores, he would usually lead the way ... He’s just really full of energy.”

Nathan also enjoys playing sports, video games and food. Nathan’s favorite sport is soccer and he was currently playing through the YMCA youth sports league. He also took an interest in wrestling last year, Vieth said.

“He mostly played goalie,” Veith said. “I think he got interested in the sport because he had a lot of exposure to it as a kid and it stuck.”

Nathan was crossing Central on Redbarn when he was hit by a car headed east on Central. Jack Farmer, who witnessed the incident, said he and a nurse, who was headed east on Central, ran up to help. He called 911 while the nurse tended to Nathan..

He said the crosswalk had lit up for the boy to cross and other vehicles were stopped. Nathan’s family also said the man ran the light. A police lieutenant said at the scene that they were still investigating the cause. Police did not immediately respond Thursday with any update on the investigation.

In a Facebook post, Nathan’s mother, Angela Veith, said “we cannot even begin to express our gratitude to everyone for their love, support and prayers. We are so blessed to be apart of this community.”

A meal train has been set up for the Veith family. Donations are also being accepted. More information is available at www.mealtrain.com/trains/k0yr42