Local

South Shore town rallies to help local teen hit by a car in Florida

HINGHAM, Mass. — Cards with Michael Lane’s name, puzzles, and well wishes for a speedy recovery fill a neighbor’s dining room table.

“We’ve got a little collection here and we have a lot more coming too,” said Amanda Cease a neighbor and friend of the Lane family.

“Michael love’s riding his bike in our neighborhood and luckily he always wears a helmet,” she said.

And thankfully, the Hingham teenager was on April 17th while vacationing in Florida with his family. His parents saw the horrific accident saying in this GoFundMe post:

“We witnessed our 13-year-old son Michael be struck by a car and thrown 36ft face down on the pavement.”

Police say the driver, a 19-year-old, hit Michael in a crosswalk after dozing off and was behind the wheel without a license.

The police report says in part:

“Wright advised that… he fell asleep at the wheel and swerved to the left into oncoming traffic. Mr. Wright advised that he woke up when he collided with the bicyclist within the crosswalk.”

Michael is part of his St Paul - Resurrection Church’s youth group. His parents told Fr. Matt Norwood they placed a rosary in his backpack and believe he is blessed to be alive.

“It was really beautiful the first time I talked to his mom because she shared that with me and I was so moved by that. There was a real sense of trust that God would protect him,” said Fr. Norwood.

Even still, Michael’s injuries are extensive including a broken leg, collar bone, and a broken nose.

After hearing the news, neighbors, classmates at Hingham Middle School, and the community jumped in to support him.

“He just beams when people say hi to him. He’s just that kind of kid. So, our goal as a community is to get at least 500 cards that will be waiting for him in his room,” said Cease.

And outside of his house is a huge display, donated too that reads ‘Michael, Welcome Home.’ A beautiful sign of things to come.

Michael is expected home in the next week. There is a GoFundMe page set up to help with medical expenses.

If you’d like to send Michael a card the address is: Hingham Middle School, 1103 Main Street, Hingham, Ma. 02043.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.

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