PORT ANGELES – A helmet saved her son’s life, Alice Robbins-Elliott says.
She was in her kitchen at Seventh and A streets in Port Angeles on Nov. 2 making her son’s favorite meal – steak – when she heard the worst sound she could imagine: The dull thud of a car hitting a bike.
Her 13-year-old son, Casey Thompson, had been hit by a car while riding his bike.
“When I heard that sound, I ran outside and laid his head on my lap and just waited for the ambulance,” Robbins-Elliott said.
“I haven’t left his side since then.”
Both of Casey’s legs were broken as he flew up onto the hood of the car.
But the helmet protected his head from injury.
“I know that is what saved his life,” Robbins-Elliott said.
Casey had been dedicated to wearing a helmet since a classmate, Frank Russo of Port Angeles, was killed at the age of 14 while skateboarding without a helmet in 2006.
“Casey always wears his helmet,” Robbins-Elliott said.
“He knew Frank, went to school with him.”
She also said that her son’s clothing – a hoodie, T-shirt and heavy jeans – kept his wounds clean, which doctors at Olympic Medical Center – where he was treated for three days – said was very important.
