Teen who lost legs says ‘we’ll be out of here soon’

DENVER – One of two 17-year-old boys from Berthoud who lost their legs in an accident thanked the public for their support during a video made in his hospital room.

Tyler Carron and Nikko Landeros were injured on January 15 while changing a flat tire. A girl driving a Land Cruiser hit them as they were standing at the back of their Isuzu on the side of Larimer County Road 17 near Spartan Avenue.

Carron and Landeros were pinned between the two vehicles, and were airlifted to Denver Health Medical Center. Both boys were initially placed in the ICU. The severity of their injuries required the amputation of both boys’ legs and they remain in the hospital for additional treatments.

On Friday, Carron spoke in a video that was shot in his hospital room.

“I know Nikko would like to be here too, but unfortunately he had surgery. But he’s doing well,” said Carron. “And we just wanted to thank everyone who’s donated and everyone who has kept us in their thoughts and prayers. We really appreciate it, and we’ll be out of here soon. Thank you.”

Friday, their families also appeared at a press conference at Denver Health Medical Center, along with two of the doctors working with the boys.

Carron’s aunt, Lori Moriarty, read a statement from the families.

“We would like to express our heartfelt thanks to our family, friends and the entire community for their prayers and support for our sons during this time. We have been overwhelmed by the outpouring of love and support,” said Moriarty.

Moriarty says both Carron and Landeros are anxious to return to school and to their friends.

“Tyler and Nikko have faced this life-changing experience with courage and determination,” she said. “These boys are the strongest, most courageous boys.”

The doctors say Carron is in fair condition but Landeros remains in serious condition because of an infection in his lungs.

Both boys underwent more surgery Friday to treat open wounds. Doctors say they must get skin grafts on the wounds and will need surgeries over the next week to 10 days to finish the process.

However, Carron has been able to get into a wheelchair and even went outside on Thursday.

Dr. Philip Stahel, an orthopedic surgeon, says both boys initially had their legs preserved but there was no blood flow to the legs so they had to remove them to save the boys’ lives.

Stahel says Carron came in with more serious injuries, including some injuries in his belly. One of Carron’s legs had been cold without blood for around six hours.

“We had to decide what we call ‘limb for life.’ We had to sacrifice the leg basically to save his (Carron’s) life,” said Stahel.

Dr. Ernest “Gene” Moore, chief of trauma surgery, says both Landeros and Carron were helped at the scene by their friends who put tourniquets on their legs.

“I think that likely saved their lives,” said Moore.

Moore says the boys’ friends used belts to help stop the bleeding, and he says it was a very smart move.

For more on what the American Red Cross says you should do to help someone who is injured, you can click here.

Moore says none of the doctors believed the boys’ legs were salvageable because of the injuries.

Stahel says Tyler had one leg amputated at the knee and another just above the knee. Landeros had both of his amputations above the knee.

Stahel says both boys should make a good recovery with the help of prosthetic legs.

“I expect them to be walking without crutches in a few months,” said Stahel.

Stahel says he is amazed at the support of the friends and families of the boys and at the positive attitude they are maintaining.

He says Carron is in good spirits. “He looks at it as a new challenge in his life that he will have to fight for and cope with,” said Stahel.

“We will never ever be able to compare them to any of us ever again because they have so much courage and so much strength from their inner selves to get through this,” said Moriarty.

The doctors say they plan to have the teens go through rehabilitation together.

“Any success after a devastating injury like this is a team effort,” said Moore.

Charges are still pending against the 17-year-old girl who hit the boys.

The Colorado State Patrol has turned the investigation over to the Larimer County District Attorney’s Office. They believe the DA will go forward with two counts of careless driving resulting in serious bodily injury. Her name has not yet been released.

Both Carron and Landeros are students at Berthoud High School and were on both the wrestling and football teams. They were coming from a school dance when they were injured.

Community members have come together to raise funds to assist with the medical expenses for each family. Those wishing to donate send donations to:

The Medical Fund to Benefit Tyler Carron and Nikko Landeros C/O The Berthoud Wrestling Club Centennial Bank of the West 807 Mountain Ave Berthoud, CO 80513