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SALT LAKE CITY — A Utah County teen was left paralyzed from the waist down after he was involved in a devastating dirt bike incident in Mona.
Conner Morgan wasn't expecting a day on the track to change the course of his life, but with the support of his family, he's hoping to beat the odds and walk out of the hospital.
"He likes big trucks," said Conner's dad, Aaron Morgan. "He likes to do mechanics."
Conner Morgan's love of trucks is no secret for anyone who knows him, especially his dad.
"He likes any truck, except a Ford," said Aaron.
"I think I'm a Chevy (man)," said Conner.
"He does love diesels," said Aaron. "His dream job is to be a diesel mechanic."
After he secured a job at a local dealership, Conner was well on his way to making his dream come true, until he hit one of life's road blocks.
"When he was getting loaded into the ambulance, he asked when he was going to be able to get back to work, and no one had an answer for him," said Conner's dad.
On April 3, Conner and his brother were out riding dirt bikes in Mona when another rider came crashing on top of him.
A community of friends & family is rallying behind a teen paralyzed from the waist down following a dirt bike accident in Mona, UT. Coming up at 5, 18-year-old Conner Morgan shares his story and why he's not ready to give up on his dreams... @KSL5TVpic.twitter.com/p96fo7GZft
— Garna Mejia KSL (@GarnaMejiaKSL) April 18, 2021
"I guess he couldn't see me or something, but also, he was following me really close, and then, when I was going down the other side, he jumped the whole entire jump and landed on my dirt bike," said Conner.
"He just landed on top of him," said Aaron.
Conner said both riders cleared the jump, but because the other rider was more experienced, he cleared a longer distance and collided with Conner.
"I just couldn't feel my legs or anything," said Conner. "I couldn't move them."
Conner suffered debilitating injuries to his spinal cord, with T-11 and T-12 vertebrae fractures, leaving him paralyzed from the waist down.
Connor knew the odds were stacked against him, but he said he's not ready to give up.
"He's actually got a pretty good attitude, especially after what he's been through," said Conner's dad.
Conner was flown to The Craig Hospital in Denver to receive specialized therapy. Family said he's already making progress and was recently able to move his toes.
"My goal is just to walk when I leave this hospital, hopefully," said Conner.
Conner said he's still holding onto his dream of becoming a diesel mechanic.
A GoFundMe has been created to raise funds for his medical treatments.
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