[KHTS] – A Santa Clarita Valley family is praying for their 16-year-old son’s recovery, after Canyon High junior Justin Covarrubias was seriously injured in a recent motocross crash in Rialto.
“It’s been a living nightmare — it’s awful,” said Jamie Covarrubias, Justin’s mother. “Everybody’s whole world is being turned upside down.”
Justin competed in four races Sept. 28, and around 4:30 p.m., Justin’s father saw something was amiss during his son’s last race on the Milestone MX track when he could no longer find him on the track during the race.
The family is still unclear on exactly how Justin became injured because he was riding alongside several others when his bike went down.
The crash didn’t look too bad at first and there was no collision on the track, according to witnesses, Jamie Covarrubias said. However, Justin was immediately taken to Arrowhead Regional Hospital, and after a CT Scan revealed spinal injuries, he was taken to Loma Linda.
Justin sustained a minor head injury, which doctors believe they were able to repair in surgery. However, more troubling were injuries Justin sustained to his spinal cord, his mother said.
The T-5 and T-6 vertebrae in the middle of his back were broken in the crash and, as of now, Justin has no feeling below his waist and a 3 percent chance of walking again.
“He could be the 3 percent,” Jamie Covarrubias said, “but the odds are against him. They haven’t had a chance to awaken him and (perform tests).”
There is still some uncertainty because Justin has had several complications since his hospitalization, she said.
After Justin was transferred to a specialized facility in Loma Linda due to the severity of his injuries, he came down with severe pneumonia because of his weakened immune system.
The illness left Justin in need of a breathing tube and the breathing tube led to a throat infection.
As a result, Justin has been heavily medicated and it’s been impossible for doctors to fully assess the extent of her son’s injuries, she said.
She described Justin as a good student who rides practically every weekend and doesn’t party much.
Justin picked up the motocross bug from his father at a young age, Jamie Covarrubias said. He learned how to balance on a bike at age 2, and by age 4 he was competing for fun and trophies with other kids, she said.
Justin’s 10-year-old brother set up a GiveForward page to help the family called “Pray for Justin 110,” which was a reference to his racing number.
“He has school and it’s been tough on him,” Jamie Covarrubias said, referring to her youngest. “He’s been having a lot of anxiety.”
The page has already raised $6,930 after a $5,000 goal, which has been a great help to the family because they’ve constantly had to spend so many nights in a hotel, and they’re not sure when Justin will be able to come home.
In the meantime, the family has been commuting 100 miles to see Justin and taking time off work to stay with him, while Justin’s grandmother stays with the teen’s younger brother, Jamie Covarrubias said.
“It’s just awful,” Jamie Covarrubias said, “but at the same time, I thank God that I have him because it could have been worse, because I still have him.”
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60 Comments
Praying for this boy and his family. So sorry to hear this.
Praying for this boy and his family. So sorry to hear this.
So tragic. Love and prayers.
So tragic. Love and prayers.
Praying for him.
Praying for him.
Praying for Justin that he recuperates from all his complications and is able to walk again.
Praying for Justin that he recuperates from all his complications and is able to walk again.
Praying for him and his family.
Praying for him and his family.
Dustin Grieve
Dustin Grieve
Prayers for Justin
Praying for a speedy recovery for Justin! Hope he gets well soon and you have your healthy baby back home soon!
Prayers for all the family.
Praying for him.
Can you please post the link where people can donate?
https://m.facebook.com/profile.php?id=696875950407465
Praying for Justin and his family!! God Bless you all
Praying for him to recover soon
Lost my 15 year old son to the same sport so many love …..My prayers to the family and to Justin’s recovery.
Jennifer Morgan here is the link
https://www.giveforward.com/fundraiser/wsz5/pray-for-justin-110
Thank you!
Praying!
Prayer for justin and his family
Sorry too here that about your son.hope he will be alright.
Jennifer Barber
Sending Prayers.
Praying for your son… My nephew was in a similar accident about 6 months and is paralyzed from the neck down… We have seen a very slight improvement but are grateful for any sign and will pray for your son as well
With God, nothing is impossible. Praying.
He really needs prayers as do all his family and friends! Praying for you all!
Prayers sent.
In my thoughts and prayers
Praying
Praying for Justin’s full recovery and praying for family to have strength & faith thru this difficult time. God Bless you all!
Praying that the Lord will heal his body completely!
Prayers and hugs
Your in our prayers
So horrible-praying for this family!
Prayers said!
Prayers for all of your family on their way.
Here’s the link for anyone that wants to like the page and maybe donate and help the family out just scroll down a little the link is up there. They are a great family they are some of my best friends family members any help is very appreciated
https://m.facebook.com/profile.php?id=696875950407465
Prayers
Prayers for Justin & his family.
Praying for him and his family. This shows we are an “off-road” family here in the SCV.
Praying for him and his family. This shows we are an “off-road” family here in the SCV.
Prayers for Justin and family
Big hugs and prayers!
Prayers and hugs!
Praying for him
Derek Tarrant
Prayers
Jesus has the final say. I will be praying for this teen to walk again.
Prayers!!!!#heal will place you in church service for every sunday so that you and your family may have faith and guidance thru this difficult time. God bless.♥
Justins update: justins Ct scan and chest x-ray show that his lungs have gotten worse. They are very filled with fluid and mucus. We had hope that they were improving for a couple days but the tests show that they have took a turn for the worse. It will take time for them to improve but they are working towards getting them healthy again. He did have a very scary rough night on thursday. His vitals were all very high and he was struggling to maintain oxygen. They worked on him most of the night and by yesterday he had improved. This was probably the toughest night we have had since we first got here and the surgery. He did have a better day yesterday and last night. Today he had also been able to rest his body. He is still running fevers on and off and the doctors are still trying to figure out the cause. We have learned that it is sometimes a reaction to spinal cord injuries for the body has trouble regulating body temperature. We continue to pray and look forward for the much better days ahead.