Sugar Grove boy hit by semi recovering

A Sugar Grove boy who was hit by a semitrailer as he crossed Route 47 on his bicycle earlier this month has been discharged from the hospital and appears to be recovering, authorities said.

"It's amazing, absolutely amazing," Sugar Grove Police Investigator John Sizer said. "How do you get hit by a semi at 45 mph and survive?"

Uriel Gallegos, 13, had just bought a bag of chips and a bottle of Gatorade from a gas station along Route 47 when, about 3:30 p.m. on Aug. 10, he tried to cross the highway to get back home.

Witnesses told police he lost control after the rear tire of his bike was struck by a southbound van, at which point he crossed into the path of a 75,000-pound semitrailer traveling north.

The accident near Prairie Street left Uriel with a severe injuries, including a broken pelvis and a skull fracture, according to police.

As of Thursday, Uriel was no longer listed as a patient at Advocate Lutheran General Hospital in Park Ridge, according to a hospital spokesman. Sizer said he had been removed from intensive care on Aug. 21 and was interacting with his family.

"He's alert enough that he laughed at something, so it sounds like he's coming along better than anybody anticipated," Sizer said.

After the accident, neighbors, classmates and others from across the region were quick to offer support to Uriel's family, from preparing meals to posting kind words on a Facebook page ("Uriel Gallegos Needs Our Help") set up in the boy's honor, said Melisa Taylor, a trustee for the village of Sugar Grove.

An account for donations to help with medical bills and related expenses also has been set up in Uriel's name at Castle Bank in Sugar Grove.

Taylor said Uriel attends Kaneland Middle School and has three brothers, ages 6, 4 and 17.

Although his recovery was "touch and go" for a while, she said, recent progress has been encouraging.

"I'm telling you, this kid is a miracle - even those in law enforcement are floored," Taylor said. "I have to guess that he knocked on the pearly gates and they said, 'You're out of here. You've got bigger fish to fry.' "

Both of Uriel's parents work for West Aurora School District 129, which also is rallying support. School district spokesman Mike Chapin said the boy's father drives a bus, and his mother is a paraprofessional at Todd Early Childhood Center in Aurora.

"My understanding is, the family faces a pretty serious financial hurdle here," Chapin said. "We're going to do our best to make sure their District 129 family knows of their needs and has an opportunity to contribute maybe and express their support."

Uriel's family could not be reached for comment.