Family of Lakota East freshman hit by truck says his brain injury 'is not survivable'

A 15-year-old Lakota student who was struck by a pickup truck in the crosswalk outside his school has a “catastrophic” brain injury that is “not survivable,’ his mother announced in an update on social media.

Aspen Dylan Runnels has been in critical condition and a medically induced coma at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center over the past week, according to his mother’s public posts on Facebook.

The Lakota East Freshman school student was hit in the crosswalk on Bethany Road by an eastbound pickup truck minutes after classes were dismissed on May 15, the crash report shows.

Christina Alcorn's post states:

“The results of the MRI came back today. Sadly, Aspen has a catastrophic brain injury that is not survivable. It will take a few days to clinically declare brain death as we are donating his organs, but functionally he has departed from us,” she wrote in a public Facebook post late Tuesday.

“I know this may come as a shock to many of you, especially Aspen’s classmates. Some of you may have anticipated this outcome, but it doesn’t make it any easier to hear. It certainly was not for us. I want to encourage anyone who feels the need to seek a therapist or a counselor to talk to. Grief is a complex and difficult thing to navigate, especially if you try to do it alone. Please reach out if you need help.

“I would like to thank the community, the band, the color guard, and everyone else who has reached out to my family or donated in this very difficult time. I asked you to rally for Aspen, and you did a magnificent job. I’m proud to be part of such a loving and inclusive community. This will be the last of my daily updates, as we need to grieve and process as a family. I will be posting when we decide about any services, as I know you all want to say your goodbyes.

“Please share your memories of Aspen, stories, photos, and keep his memory alive. Sing and dance to Taylor Swift, strike up a conversation with a stranger, and be kind to each other as he would have been. Let his infectious smile and beautiful soul live on through each of us. He was too good for this world. Rest in peace, my beautiful baby boy.”

She ended her update with #rallyforaspen

The pickup truck driver stayed at the scene and cooperated with investigators.

She was distracted and took her eyes off the road to adjust her three-month-old child’s pacifier when she hit Aspen in the crosswalk in the school zone, the crash report shows.

The speed limit was 20 mph at that time. She was speeding at 30 mph, according to the crash report.

No charges have been filed and the crash remains under investigation.

It’s not clear why there was no crossing guard or cruiser with flashing lights at the crosswalk. A crossing guard was added at the request of the school, according to Butler County Sheriff Richard Jones.

The day after Aspen was hit, school officials announced in an update to students and their families they are working with the Butler County Sheriff’s Office and Liberty Township leaders to review safety measures beyond the crosswalk and flashing school zone lights and signs.

Enquirer media partner Fox19 provided this report

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Family of Lakota freshman hit by truck says injury 'not survivable'