Mass. teen seriously injured while riding bike in FL after driver falls asleep at wheel, police say

FERNANDINA BEACH, Fla. — A Florida man is under arrest after falling asleep at the wheel of his car and hitting a Hingham teen who was on vacation with his family, authorities say.

19-year-old Mason Wright is charged with driving without a license and causing serious injury with a motor vehicle.

The Nassau County Sheriff’s Office says they responded to 1st Coast Highway in Fernandina Beach around 2:16 p.m. on April 17 for a report of a bicyclist hit by a car. Arriving officers found 13-year-old Michael Lane had sustained significant injuries and transported him to a nearby hospital.

The victim’s injuries are considered serious but not life threatening, according to officials.

Investigators say Wright fell asleep traveling north on Florida A1A and 1st Coast Highway near the Buccaneer Trail when he swerved left into oncoming traffic. He only awoke after hitting the victim, Lane, who was riding his bike in the crosswalk at the time of the crash, according to a police report.

Officers say Wright didn’t have a valid driver’s license and was subsequently arrested.

The Hingham teen has a long road to recovery ahead of him, as his injuries include a long bone fracture, a broken clavicle, a punctured lung, a broken nose, and a meniscus tear, in addition to multiple lacerations. A family friend tells Boston 25 News had Lane not been wearing his helmet, he may not have survived.

The family has set up a GoFundMe page to help alleviate some of the medical costs, but also plan to set up a charity.

“If the funds that are donated exceed our expectations our hope is we can give back by starting this charity that will positively impact the safety of kids on the island and beyond by supplying safety gear that played a role in saving Michael’s life,” Lane’s parents wrote in the GoFundMe. “We can’t tell you enough how much we appreciate the prayers of friends and family, and the love and support this island has given us.”

The charity would be called Michael’s Miracle Bike Helmet Charity, and will help serve as a reminder of the importance of bike safety.

Lane is currently in stable condition.

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