TEMPLE, Texas — A 7-year-old boy who was walking home with his father on a Friday night is now fighting through one of the hardest recoveries imaginable — and strangers are already stepping up to help.
Carson Marshall was struck by a vehicle around 9:20 p.m. near the 4800 block of South 31st Street after running into the path of an oncoming car. The driver immediately called 911 for help.
Bystanders jumped in before help arrived
Carson was not alone in those first terrifying moments.
A nearby witness, Emily Pursche, was among several people who rushed to the child’s side right after the accident.
“Another female, male, my husband and I started to work on him,” she said. “We held his hand, got him to respond. He yelled out his back hurts and that he was bleeding.”
It was a community coming together in the worst kind of moment.
The injuries are serious
Carson’s mother, Sadie Morey, shared the full extent of what her son is facing.
The 7-year-old sustained a fractured skull, a leg broken in two places, a laceration to his liver, a fractured orbital socket, a laceration on his back, and bruising throughout his body.
He is expected to be in a wheelchair for some time.
Carson will also need ultrasound and X-ray monitoring every two weeks to track his skull fracture and liver injury as he heals.
He is conscious — and fighting
Despite everything, Carson is showing signs of strength.
His mother said he is conscious but in a lot of pain. The family celebrated a small but meaningful milestone recently.
“We were able to get him to take like 2 to 3 steps today but it was very hard,” Morey said.
For a family watching their child push through that kind of pain, every step counts.
The community is coming together
Medical bills for an injury this serious add up fast — and Carson’s family is already feeling that pressure.
A GoFundMe has been set up to help cover the costs as Carson faces weeks and possibly months of ongoing treatment and monitoring.
The support from neighbors, strangers, and the wider Temple community has meant everything to a family going through the unthinkable.
Have you ever seen your community come together for a family in need? Share your thoughts in the comments — and keep Carson and his family in your heart as he continues to heal.