SALEM, Ore. (KOIN) — A McNary High School student remains in a coma after a Friday afternoon crash that happened minutes after school was let out for the holiday.
A Jeep Wrangler driven by Austin Verboort and a Chevy Blazer collided just outside the school around 2:30 p.m., injuring three 16-year-olds.
The other two teens were treated and released. But Verboort suffered a traumatic brain injury and a broken leg. Though he is in a coma, he is reportedly breathing on his own and his vital signs continue to improve, KOIN 6 News was told.
On June 1, the Verboort family released this statement:“Austin remains medically stable and we are encouraged by his progress each day. We are moving him tomorrow (Tuesday, June 2) to a rehab center that will provide care and therapy more specific to his emerging needs. We are very thankful for the wonderful care he has received at Salem Hospital.
One of his close friends, Austin Herndon, said he’s known Verboort since 1st grade. They currently are on the track-and-field team at the high school.
“Everybody was like, ‘We can’t lose him, he’s such a great guy, a nice friend, nice to be around.’ We all love him,” Herndon said. “Bad things happen to good people. It’s not fair for him.”
Herndon started a GoFundMe page that has garnered more than $11,000 in just a few days, and #VerboortStrong began trending.