Doctors told 24-year-old Alexandrew Harner that the impact from the vehicle that struck him from behind caused his spine to “snap like a log,” family members said.
Harner was skateboarding on Northwest 99th Street in front of Columbia River High School on Tuesday night when he was hit by a Pontiac minivan traveling 30 mph, according to the Clark County Sheriff’s Office.
The sheriff’s office has not identified Harner, but his family spoke with The Columbian on Friday partly because his recovery will be lengthy and will cause financial hardships for a growing family.
Amanda Kessel — Harner’s girlfriend’s mother, who referred to herself as his mother-in-law as they’re close and the couple are engaged — said doctors relayed that chances are poor Harner will walk again.
“(Social Security) is his only income, and he has 6-month-old boy to care for,” Amanda Kessel said.
Clark County sheriff’s deputies, firefighters and medics responded about 9:30 p.m. to 800 N.W. 99th St. for a report of a vehicle-versus-pedestrian crash.