Regina boy who was hit by truck moved out of pediatric ICU

There was some good news Tuesday about the seven-year-old boy who was hit by a pickup truck while waiting for a school bus in Regina on June 21.

Ben Dufour’s family released a statement saying the boy is awake, and has been moved out of the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit at the Jim Pattison Children’s Hospital (JPCH) and into the pediatric ward.

“His progress has been truly amazing and the doctors are delighted with his progress,” the statement said. “Ben has regained consciousness, can breathe on his own, and has been able to communicate.

“He has started regaining his memory and is showing signs of his old personality. His body is starting to heal, and his physiotherapy indicates he has feeling and movement in his entire body.”

Last week, the family issued a statement saying Dufour suffered a broken leg, a broken arm, a broken pelvis, broken ribs and a broken sternum, as well as skull fractures. He also had soft tissue damage and damage to his neck.

“Although we know this will still take some time, we are optimistic about his recovery,” the family said. “Our hope is to bring Ben back to Regina soon to continue his rehabilitation.”

On June 21, Dufour was waiting for the bus with his brother and two other children when a truck came down the street. According to police, the truck hit parked vehicles, crashed into two fences and eventually hit a house on Dunsmore Drive.

The truck also hit Dufour.

The driver subsequently was charged with impaired operation of a vehicle by alcohol or drug causing bodily harm, as well as dangerous operation of a vehicle causing bodily harm.

The boy’s family thanked staff at the JPCH for the “wonderful care” the boy had received, as well as people who had offered support and prayers.

“The support we have received has been overwhelming,” the statement said. “We are truly grateful.”

As of Tuesday morning, a GoFundMe page set up for Dufour had raised $83,970, well past its goal of $75,000.