Teen Hit by Truck While Driver Was Adjusting Baby’s Pacifier. Family Says His Brain Injury Is 'Not Survivable’
"It will take a few days to clinically declare brain death as we are donating his organs, but functionally he has departed from us," said the teen's mom
LaVinda McAuliffe/GoFundMe
Aspen Dylan Runnels, who died after he was hit by a truck driven by an apparent distracted driver on Wednesday, May 15An Ohio teen sustained a brain injury, which his family has said is "unsurvivable," after being struck by a truck.
Aspen Dylan Runnels, 15, was in a crosswalk by Lakota East High School on Wednesday, May 15, when he was struck by the pickup truck, according to ABC affiliate WCPO and FOX affiliate WXIX-TV.
Officials stated in a crash report that the woman driving the truck claimed that at the time of the collision, she had looked away to adjust her baby’s pacifier, WCPO and NBC affiliate WLWT reported.
Authorities did not immediately respond to PEOPLE’s request for comment.
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In an update shared on social media on Tuesday, May 21, Runnel’s mother, Christina Alcorn, said her son sustained a “catastrophic brain injury that is not survivable.”
"It will take a few days to clinically declare brain death as we are donating his organs, but functionally he has departed from us," Alcorn added. “I know this may come as a shock to many of you, especially Aspen's classmates. Some of you may have anticipated this outcome, but it doesn't make it any easier to hear. It certainly was not for us.”
“I would like to thank the community, the band, the color guard, and everyone else who has reached out to my family or donated in this very difficult time,” she added. “I asked you to rally for Aspen, and you did a magnificent job. I'm proud to be part of such a loving and inclusive community.”
Alcorn went on to encourage loved ones to "share your memories of Aspen, stories, photos, and keep his memory alive."
"Sing and dance to Taylor Swift, strike up a conversation with a stranger, and be kind to each other as he would have been," she added "Let his infectious smile and beautiful soul live on through each of us. He was too good for this world."
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A GoFundMe campaign for the teen's family has been started by OwlBridge Wellness, where Aspen worked. More than $16,000 has been raised as of Wednesday, May 22.
“He was so upbeat, and motivated in helping people,” wrote organizer LaVinda McAuliffe.
No charges have been filed in connection with the crash, according to WLWT. The school increased patrols in the area where the crash occurred, and school officials plan to review safety measures.
Lakota East school officials did not immediately respond to PEOPLE’s request for comment.
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