The family of the 4-year-old Nevada boy who was internally decapitated in a road accident says they owe his survival to the Good Samaritan who helped hold his head still until paramedics arrived at the scene.
Brandy Gonzalez and her son Killian were making their way back home to Boise, Idaho after celebrating Killian's fourth birthday in Nevada when they were caught in a storm while on the road.
Gonzalez said she was trying to make a turn when her car suddenly began to slide, causing them to crash. The last thing she could remember was that she was trying to check up on Killian.
A local police officer and his wife were also passing through the same area at the time and saw Gonzalez's crash in front of them.
Leah Woodward, the wife of the police officer, said they could hear screaming from a little baby inside the car. Her husband smashed the back window of Gonzalez's car in order to get to them.
After they found Gonzalez and her child, Woodward held the injured Killian upright and kept him straight for more than half an hour until the paramedics arrived. They believed that if Woodward hadn't kept Killian in this position, the boy could've lost his life.
Gonzalez also said if they had moved Killian, or tried to take him out, his injuries could've become worse.
Gonzalez and her son were then rushed to hospitals in Boise. They have yet to see each other following the accident, which Gonzalez says is making things more difficult for her.
"It's just hard knowing he's in so much pain and I can't be there," Gonzalez said.
According to doctors, Killian sustained a ruptured spleen and multiple fractures in his arms and ribs. He also suffered a clinical decapitation, which is a potentially fatal injury as the skull of the patient becomes separated from the spine.
Despite his injuries, Killian now is in stable condition and is expected to make a full recovery. He is able to eat, walk and sit up by himself without having to undergo surgery.
Meanwhile, his mom suffered multiple fractures as well on her tibia, femur and arm.
Gonzalez is grateful to the people who helped her and her son, especially Woodward.
"She saved my baby. She gave him back," Gonzalez said.
A GoFundMe page has been set up to help raise financial support for Gonzalez and her son's medical expenses.
