A young boy from the Santa Clarita Valley was injured in a traffic collision on Tuesday, Sept. 1, and friends of the boy’s family are asking for help.

Ryan Rutledge, 10, was injured in a collision at approximately 12:30 p.m. on Sierra Highway at Vasquez Canyon Road.

Ryan was airlifted to a hospital with major injuries, including a broken back and is in critical condition, said Tracy Harnage Abbatoye, a family friend.

There is no guarantee he will walk again, Abbatoye said.

“We are all praying he will (walk), but the next two years are going to be extremely hard for the family,” said Abbatoye. “Between the medical expenses they are facing, to loss of jobs to help their son recover, this family is going to really need support.”

Abbatoye has set up a GoFundMe page to help aid the Rutledge family with medical costs.

To donate to Ryan’s GoFundMe account, [click here].

“I am doing this for the family because in a time like this, I don’t want them to stress about money,” said Abbatoye. “Not only is their precious little boy in the hospital with a broken back, both parents are sitting bedside with him and unable to work. It’s the least I could do for them.”

Over $3,400 has been raised by 61 people as of Sunday afternoon. The page’s goal is to raise $50,000.

“Ryan has a very long hard road ahead of him and we don’t know what his prognosis is,” said the Rutledge family. “We appreciate all (of) your donations.”

“GoFundMe is a great way to take donations for the family so they can concentrate on what’s important right now. And that is Ryan’s care,” said Abbatoye. “A 10-year-old boy in the beginning of his life shouldn’t have to deal with such horrible obstacles.”