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7-Year-Old Prepares For Amputation After Being Struck While Riding Bike

AURORA, Colo. (CBS4)- Rylie Carbonneau isn't talking much about losing his leg or the accident that resulted in the amputation surgery.

The 7-year-old survived being struck and dragged by a truck while he was riding his bike in Westminster earlier this month. But he will lose part of his leg after doctors' attempts to save it.

Rylie's mother, Nicole Carbonneau, said he had told her he wished his injuries were on his hands and not his legs so he could still play outside like all the other kids.

"Sometimes he has a good day and he's okay. Other times he's having a really rough time. He's in a lot of pain," said Nicole.

Rylie was dragged after his tricycle was caught under the wheels of a truck Oct. 2.

"He was flown here so I drove to the hospital. On the whole way I was a wreck. I'm like, 'I cannot believe this is happening,'" said Nicole.

Rylie had severe trauma to his legs along with several other injuries.

"We don't really say amputated to him," said Nicole. "We've shown him pictures being like, 'This is how we're going to fix your leg.'

"The thing we think about is at least he's alive. If it's just a leg it's a big deal but at least he's still here."

Martin Cardona-Avila
Martin Cardona-Avila (credit: Westminster Police)

Martin Cardona-Avila, 48, has been charged with careless driving causing bodily injury in the incident in the case. Police said his truck came to a complete stop for about two seconds at a stop sign at just after 7 p.m. and just moments before the accident.

Cardona-Avila told CBS4 that he never saw Carbonneau, and that he's extremely sorry about what happened.

Rylie's parents will begin to make renovations to their home to make it wheelchair accessible once he has his surgery. They've set up a fund at Wells Fargo Bank under Rylie Carbonneau for donations.

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