12-year-old boy hit by car, thrown into windshield while riding e-bike remains in coma

SAN DIEGO (KGTV) - The family of a 12-year-old California boy is leaning on their faith as he remains in a medically induced coma after being hit by a car while riding his e-bike.

Family members say Mark Maldonado was riding his e-bike last Saturday evening in San Diego County when he tried to make a left turn. That’s when police say the 12-year-old boy was hit by a Tesla, throwing him off his e-bike and into the windshield.

“The impact of that windshield, essentially, had caused his helmet to come off, and then, he had impact with the ground,” said Mark’s uncle, Bijan Sabouri.

Mark was rushed to the hospital with life-threatening head trauma and underwent surgery to relieve the pressure in his brain. He remained in a medically induced coma, as of Friday, nearly a week after the crash.

“To be honest, it feels like a fever dream,” Sabouri said. “It’s tough sometimes to make sense of things that happen, especially when it happens to young children.”

In recent days, Mark has shown signs of improvement, but Sabouri says the long-term impact on his nephew’s brain function remains unknown.

“When they tried weaning him off the sedation, he was having some movement in his extremities, like his hands and feet, which is a very good sign. Still touch and go but obvious signs of improvement,” Sabouri said.

He says Mark, a student at Ashley Falls Elementary, got the e-bike more than a year ago and rode it to school regularly. He describes his nephew as a careful rider who always wears his helmet.

As Mark’s family keeps vigil at his bedside, the community has rallied around them. A GoFundMe set up by his school community has raised more than $10,000.

Sabouri says the outpouring of support has been a lifeline.

“They’ve come and dropped off food, and they’ve checked in with family members. I really don’t know where we would be mentally and emotionally if it wasn’t for the support,” he said.

Along with that community support, he says the family is leaning on their faith.

“We’ve been thanking God for even being able to see Mark and be on the road to recovery with him, and we appreciate anyone that would keep him in their thoughts and prayers,” he said.

The investigation into the crash remains ongoing. Police say the 64-year-old man driving the Tesla was not injured, and alcohol was not a factor.