Kyle Preston

Wenatchee, Washington

When 16-year-old Kyle Preston got behind the wheel to drive to his first full day of work at a local golf course last summer, he learned a powerful and painful lesson. A late night left him simply too tired to drive. He drifted off to sleep, and his car crossed the center line into the path of an oncoming semi-trailer truck. The driver swerved to avoid him, but Kyle collided with the back of the truck as it passed, sheering off the side of his car. Kyle’s seat belt held him tight to what was left of the car, with multiple, life-threatening injuries. He was rushed to Central Washington Hospital, and his mother Laurie, who was on duty at the pharmacy, was called to the ER. After emergency surgery to remove his crushed spleen, Kyle was transported by Airlift Northwest to Harborview for surgery on compound leg fractures, followed by surgery at UW Medical Center to patch his torn aorta. He returned to Harborview for surgery on his shattered shoulder. “Cars are definitely not a toy,” says Kyle, who faces more surgery and physical therapy to regain his strength and range of motion. “He’s incredibly lucky to be here,” adds his mom.

From Central Washington Hospital (Wenatchee, WA) to Harborview Medical Center (Seattle, WA)