Classmates of a teen boy who was run over by a Broward County bus gathered Friday morning for a walk to raise money for his family.
Students at Crystal Lake Middle School put one foot in front of the other for 14-year-old Jerry Cunningham, who remains hospitalized following the May 10 incident in Pompano Beach.
"I really hope that everybody gets in their brain that he was a really good kid and sees that we're doing this for him because he really deserves it," said classmate Lydia Silva.
Silva said she rides the bus with Cunningham but wasn't there the day he was run over. Cunningham had been running to catch the bus in the 1200 block of E. Sample Road when he jumped on its exterior, the Broward Sheriff's Office said.
Video, 911 Calls Released in Case of Teen Run Over By Bus
At least one witness said Cunningham had been stuck with part of his arm caught in the door before he fell and was run over.
Cunningham suffered fractures to his face, ribs and ankle in the incident, which was caught on surveillance footage from inside the bus.
"I was really upset when I found out that he got run over and stuff," Silva said. "I wasn't there that day but I wish I could have, maybe that wouldn't have happened."
On Wednesday, attorneys for Cunningham's family said he is no longer in a medically induced coma but still hasn't regained consciousness. It's too early to determine when or if Cunningham will regain consciousness or the extent of his injuries, but it's hopeful that he'll be transferred out of pediatric ICU shortly, the attorneys said.
Classmates said they hoped to see Cunningham back at school soon.
"He's a smart kid, he's kind of quiet but when you get to know him you feel comfortable around him," classmate Bryan Pozada said.
A "Jerry Cunningham Fund" has also been established to help pay for the teen's medical expenses. Donations can be made payable to the Jerry Cunningham Fund at Wells Fargo Bank at 1710 S. Andrews Avenue, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33316.
