- Carson Davies, the teen hit by a car in Herriman on Friday, remains in critical condition.
- He whispered to family, indicating improvement, but was still in the intensive-care unit as of Monday.
- Carson, 16, is a student at Herriman High School.
SALT LAKE CITY — A teen seriously injured when he was hit by a car in Herriman remains in critical condition, but a family member said Monday the boy is showing signs of recovery.
"He was actually able to whisper a few sentences, so he's definitely showing some signs of improvement," said Keeley Hartin, a cousin.
Carson Davies, 16, was with two other juveniles Friday night after a football game at a residential Herriman neighborhood under construction when he was hit by a vehicle and critically injured. He was outside the car, but the driver likely didn't see him, according to police. The driver and the other occupant of the vehicle, the other juveniles who accompanied Davies to the site, remained at the scene and cooperated with investigators.
Hartin said Carson, a student at Herriman High School, is getting care at Primary Children's Hospital in Salt Lake City, surrounded by family and friends. She said he suffered extensive injuries, including road rash and a broken jaw, orbital bone and collarbone. "Fractures pretty much all over his body," she said. A wound on his scalp required 50 staples to close.
Hartin said her cousin was taken off a respirator and has been increasingly responsive, though his condition remains serious. "We really don't know how long he'll be in the (intensive-care unit) ... It's going to be a long road with rehabilitation," she said.
Carson is an upbeat teen and friendly with others, according to a GoFundMe* account family created to generate funds to help with medical costs.
"Carson is an amazing son, brother, uncle and friend. He loves music, football and life in general," it reads. "You'll always catch him in a swaggy outfit with his favorite shades. He is always smiling and happy to include those around him. He makes everyone laugh and feel abundantly loved and important."
Carson had been planning to attend a concert by Rebelution, a reggae music group, during a coming stop in Salt Lake City, according to Hartin. The family reached out to the band, which promised him some swag, prompting a fist pump from Carson when he was told the news.
"He's a pretty amazing kid," Hartin said.
Friday's accident remains under investigation and Hartin didn't have many more details about what happened. "We don't really know the whole story," she said.
*KSL.com does not assure that the money deposited into the account will be applied for the benefit of the persons named as beneficiaries. If you are considering making a deposit to the account, you should consult your own advisors and proceed at your own risk.
