Boy hit by truck in Bridgewater has lengthy recovery ahead of him, family says

BRIDGEWATER, Mass. — The eight-year-old boy who was hit by a box truck while riding his bicycle in Bridgewater earlier this month is off a ventilator and his condition is improving as he recovers at a Boston hospital, according to his aunt.

Sara-Jane Breault said her nephew, Nathaniel, will remain in the hospital for at least another month or two before he can be transferred to a rehabilitation facility. Nathaniel’s family asked us not to share his last name.

His father, step-mother and grandparents have taken time off from work and are staying in Boston to make sure one of them is with Nathaniel at all times.

To help ease the financial burden, Breault started a GoFundMe to help the family secure a temporary rental just blocks from the hospital.

"Just having one less bill to stress over would have such an enormous positive impact," Breault wrote. "I cannot even begin to imagine how this family remains so strong, humble and stoic."

Nathaniel was out for a bike ride with his family on May 5 when he was hit by a truck.

The driver of the truck, a 27-year-old Roslindale man, stayed at the scene. At the time of the crash, police told Boston 25 News their initial investigation indicated the boy accidentally rode his bike into the path of the truck.

Bridgewater Police Chief Christopher Delmonte said the driver wasn’t cited and he doesn’t anticipate any charges will be filed.

Breault is thanking everyone who has prayed for Nathaniel.

“Prayers, kindness and words of compassion are always welcome and always appreciated for our sweet boy and his family,” she said.

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