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LINDON — He was critically injured in a crash that took the lives of his mother and father, and his goal this holiday season was to thank the nurse who saved his life.
Caleb Johnson, now a high school senior, said he was in desperate need of medication through an IV following a Nov. 22, 2000, crash in McKinney, Texas, that ultimately left him with a traumatic brain injury.
“My veins had collapsed,” said Johnson, who was a 1-year-old at the time. “That nurse had to inject a needle into the bone marrow of my ankle.”
Seventeen years later, Johnson and his four siblings — who were also injured in the crash — created a Facebook post in hopes of finding the nurse.
By late Tuesday night, the post had collected 7.9 million views and over 286,000 shares. But with the numerous tips the family received came some bad news.
“We found out she passed away of cancer a few years ago,” said Kirsten Johnson Moody, Caleb’s sister.
The Johnsons said they are now hoping to make contact with the woman’s family and express their gratitude to them.
“We really want to see these people again and thank them,” Moody said.
Johnson said his experiences have taught him what a precious gift life is.
The siblings also expressed their deep gratitude and love for their aunt and uncle, Marcia and Lane Johnson, for raising them.
Though the holiday season has been a somber time for them, they said they have learned to appreciate it for what it is.
“It was just kind of a reminder that things are different,” said Clint Johnson, Caleb’s brother. “It’s OK that things are different. It’s not reasonable to expect things are going to be the same as they were.”
