By JEFFREY SMITH
Leader staff writer
A 5-year-old Cabot hit-and- run victim received a new bicycle and a helmet Thursday from the Cabot Police Department after he was injured Sunday.
Tristen Doane test rode his Spiderman bike for detectives and the public information officer who chipped in to buy him a new one to replace the old one that was damaged.
“It was a surprise because my birthday already passed,” Tristen said.
“I like the inside of the wheels and the (front handlebars number plate),” he added.
According to the police report, Tristen was riding his cousin’s bike at 6:05 p.m. Sunday in front of his house on 600 S. Jackson St. He was hit from behind by a black scooter ridden by a 17-year-old boy.
Tristen was pushed into a metal mailbox at 604 S. Jackson St. and landed in the yard.
“I don’t know why I got run over by the scooter. I was going to my friend’s house,” Tristen told The Leader.
His mother rushed him to North Metro Medical Center in Jacksonville. He was then transferred to Arkansas Children’s Hospital in Little Rock by ambulance.
Tristen was diagnosed with a skull fracture and had minor bleeding of the brain.
Detectives noted significant damage to the front wheel and frame of the bike. The impact knocked the mailbox down.
The scooter rider was arrested on Monday. He was charged with leaving the scene of an accident with personal injury, a felony, and having no license.
Laura Doane, Tristen’s mom, said he was really concerned about the broken bicycle.
She said, when she saw Tristen lying unconscious, “It was horrible not being able to do anything. For a mom, it was scary.”
Laura Doane said Tristen is healing. He complains about his head when he gets busy and runs. He wants to act like a normal kid, she explained.
Police spokesman Sgt. Keith Graham said, “We thought it would be nice to bring some happiness and take his mind off his injuries.
“We all have kids. When we see one that has injuries that (Tristen) sustained, it touches us, and we wanted to do something for him,” Graham said.
