Family expects 12-year-old boy critically injured when struck by car while riding bike to make full recovery

POCATELLO — The family of a local 12-year-old boy who was struck by a car while riding his bicycle on a busy Pocatello street Tuesday night is optimistic that he’ll make a full recovery.

The Idaho State Journal on Wednesday afternoon spoke to the boy’s father, who is currently in Salt Lake City at Primary Children’s Hospital as his boy receives treatment for injuries sustained in the accident.

The collision occurred around 8:25 p.m. on West Pine Street near Yellowstone Avenue while the boy, Dominic De La Cruz, was riding his bicycle with a friend who was walking alongside him, the father said.

The father believes Dominic checked to make sure there was no oncoming traffic before crossing West Pine Street in the crosswalk before the traffic signal changed to green when the collision occurred.

“From my understanding it was an accident,” the father said. “The driver of the car tried to stop but they just met at the wrong time. The driver didn’t have enough time to stop and Dominic didn’t have time to react and get out of the way.”

Dominic was rushed via Pocatello Fire Department ambulance to Portneuf Medical Center following the incident.

“They had to sedate him and put a breathing tube in at Portneuf,” the father said. “He was conscious and talking after the accident happened but he started to decline a little bit. He has a fractured skull and a blood clot was forming in the brain. Doctors performed an emergency surgery.”

Following the surgery, Dominic was flown via emergency helicopter to Primary Children’s Hospital.

“After the surgery he was immediately transported over here to Salt Lake,” the father said. “I’m optimistic that he’s going to be OK. He woke up for a few seconds, opened his eyes and responded to questions. He gave us a thumbs up and was able to squeeze a hand before they sedated him again.”

The father says that doctors are waiting for swelling in the brain to subside before conducting another MRI to fully determine the extent of his injuries but he is expecting Dominic to survive.

The driver of the car stopped following the collision and is cooperating with police.

An online fundraising campaign launched on GoFundMe to provide some financial assistance to the family to help with costs associated with “traveling, hotels, gas, food and anything else needed for his recovery.” The campaign, accessible by visiting gofund.me/0d7bb162 , has earned $1,075 of its $20,000 goal as of Thursday afternoon.

“Dominic is 12 years old, he is funny, charismatic, and honestly a little stubborn, but he loves to ride his bicycle all over town visiting with friends and family,” the GoFundMe said. “The family is strong and we would like to help them get through this.”

West Pine was temporarily shut down because of the incident.

The father says there is no clear timeline for the next steps but he is thankful for all the love and support the family has received.

“We ask that you keep us in your thoughts and prayers,” he said.