Monday, Jun. 29, 2009

Granite City teen hit while skateboarding; flown to St. Louis

GRANITE CITY -- A teenager riding a skateboard was badly injured Monday afternoon when he was struck by a car.

Austin Christoff, 14, is expected to recover from his injuries, but remained Monday night in the intensive care unit at Cardinal Glennon Children's Hospital in St. Louis, according to his mother, Lisa Christoff.

"The next 24 hours is going to be a bit iffy," Lisa Christoff said. "He fractured the right side of his skull and has bleeding on the left side. His clavicle is broken, and his sternum might be cracked. But he's stable right now. They've moved him into ICU to make sure the swelling doesn't get any worse."

Police responded at about 4:24 p.m. to the 2300 block of Cleveland Boulevard, Granite City Police Maj. Jeff Connor said. The driver was released by police, but the investigation is ongoing.

Austin, a student at Coolidge Middle School, was riding a skateboard with his good friend, Luke Wilson, who called police after Austin was struck by the car.

"He was skating down a driveway and he came to the end of the driveway and there was a car there," Lisa Christoff said. "The car didn't see him and he didn't see the car until the last minute."

The two boys were waiting for a religious studies session for young adults to start at Luke's house, according to Luke's father, Steve Wilson.

"He was just skating in the driveway and the street, typical 14-year-olds," Steve Wilson said. "The street is a main thoroughfare, with lots of vehicles coming down it. I don't think it was anyone's fault. We're very happy with how quickly response came, and how people in the neighborhood were helping."

Wilson said police told him that the driver was going about 30 mph, which Wilson said is an acceptable speed for that street.

"I don't think the driver was doing anything excessive," Wilson said. "He was more upset and worried for the kid than anybody else."

Dave Wilson, a cousin of Luke Wilson who lives on Cleveland Boulevard, said Austin was initially taken to Gateway Regional Medical Center and then flown to Cardinal Glennon Children's Hospital in St. Louis.

There were skid marks for 100 feet on the street leading to the impact site.

Connor declined to comment on any evidence, including the driver's speed.