Child hit by car, mother hopes video will save someone else's child

IMPERIAL, Pa. — Surveillance video of a boy shows the moments before he was hit by a car.

He survived, and his mother is very thankful for the dozens of people who helped him.

Austin Ireland, 11, is recovering at Children’s Hospital in Lawrenceville after being hit by a car on Wednesday.

The impact was caught on camera.

TRENDING NOW:

“He has a long road ahead of him, but he's alive and that's all that matters," his mother, Shana Ireland, said.

She invited Channel 11 into her son’s hospital room to show his painful injuries and talk about what, and who, saved his life.

“He's in a lot of pain,” she said.

Austin suffered a fractured skull, broken teeth and road burns. He was on his bike, trying to cross Steubenville Pike in Imperial when police say he rode into the path of a car.

Police gave Channel 11 video of the moments just before impact.

“If it wasn't for the helmet, he would not be here," Ireland said.

Police in North Fayette told Channel 11 it wasn't the driver’s fault and with the family’s blessing, they plan to use this video to educate parents and children on helmet safety.

“He has eight siblings at home and there's no bike if there's no helmet,” Ireland said.