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Whit Johnson & Andrew Adams Reporting Students at Riverton High School hope for good news about a classmate who was hit by a car this morning. He's been in critical condition at University Hospital.
Hospital officials can't tell us specific details on the injuries of 15-year-old Devin Butler, they can only say his vital signs are unstable and we don't even know yet if he's going to survive. But we do know Devin has a lot of friends back at Riverton High pulling for him tonight.
Heather Smock, School Friend: "It's kind of sad, what happened to him. I hope he's okay."
Students at Riverton High School are hoping for the best -- a full recovery for 15-year-old Devin Butler -- as he lies in critical condition at University hospital.
Richard Timothy, School Friend: "I was in history class and I didn't know it was him at first. They said a student got hit and said it was a tenth grader, and then I heard from some of my other friends that they, that it was Devin."
This morning Devin was crossing the street on his bicycle on his way to school, when he was hit by a car heading East on 134th South. Authorities say the driver first left the scene, but then came back after persuasion from his father.
Lt. Paul Jaroscak, Salt Lake County Sheriff's Office: "The law requires that if you're involved in an accident that causes injury that you stop at the scene, render aid and call police."
The driver was 19-year-old Raymundo Hernandez. He's had trouble behind the wheel before. Last spring he was arrested in South Jordan for DUI.
Authorities have not yet determined the cause of the accident, and before charges are filed they will wait for toxicology results.
Meanwhile, back at school, friends try and overcome the shock and sadness, waiting to see Devin back in the classroom soon.
Richard Timothy, School Friend: "It's like, ‘Oh wow they got hit.' And you don't really know what to say because you don't really know what's going to happen to them."
Lee Poole, School Friend: "He had a great personality. He was always funny. Kind of the class clown. He's kind of quiet too."
Late Friday we received word that Butler had successfully made it through his first surgery.
Some of the students in the sophomore class are trying to organize a trip to the hospital to visit Devin and show support for him and his family.
