The Bobcat Nation

Teen may not see again
By Tyler Riggs

Earlier this year, 17-year-old Jason Christensen could be seen on the ball diamond pitching or playing center field for the Sky View Bobcats, or playing guard for the basketball team.

Today, there's about a 50/50 chance the Richmond resident will regain his eyesight, as Christensen is recovering from major injuries sustained Friday night when a truck in which he was riding rolled over after a teenage prank involving water balloons turned bad.

Christensen was transported Saturday morning to LDS Hospital in Salt Lake City, where he remains and is expected to undergo a 13-hour surgery on Friday to repair damage to his face. When the Toyota truck that Christensen and five of his friends from Sky View were riding in rolled over, Christensen was left pinned under the truck until some of his friends and passers-by were able to get the truck off of him.

Christensen's grandfather, Bart Johnson, said Tuesday that much of Christensen's family had come to LDS Hospital to show their support for the teenager, who has been able to communicate with friends and family by writing notes. He can hear, he can write, and most importantly, Johnson said, he's alive.

"I think he's had some heavenly visitors," Johnson said from his home in Clinton. "His other grandfather (who passed away last year) appeared to help him get the truck off."

Johnson said Christensen is aware of what happened in the crash. As far as his medical condition, Christensen sustained a broken collarbone, broken ribs and a skull fracture. He has undergone brain surgery for blood clots and for the fracture, and been treated for extensive road rash on his chest and back.

And while Christensen likely will be able to speak again, chances of him regaining his eyesight, Johnson said, are perilous.

"It's a 50/50 maybe, or less," he said.

Through the surgeries and pain, Christensen's family will continue to hope for the best.

"It's taken a while, but we hope that he's on the mend good," Johnson said.

Friday's crash happened after Christensen and his friends allegedly threw several water balloons at passing vehicles in North Logan. After hitting a Nissan truck, the 58-year-old driver of the truck reportedly turned around and started chasing after the teens, hitting their vehicle in Hyde Park, causing it to rollover.

The incident is still under investigation by North Park Police and the Utah Highway Patrol, and criminal charges may be filed pending completion of the investigation. Charges could be filed against the teenagers and the driver of the Nissan truck, according to police.

The Herald Journal is withholding the name of the 58-year-old driver until criminal charges, if any, are filed.

Out of concern for possible retaliation against the man, police are reportedly performing a property watch on his home as the investigation continues.