SOUTHWEST MIAMI-DADE, Fla. — A 14-year-old boy who was rushed to the hospital after crashing his ATV into a vehicle is expected to face a lengthy recovery, according to his family.
Jamari Charles’ family told 7News that their lives changed dramatically on New Year’s Day.
“He’s so young. Fourteen years old, full of life,” said his aunt, Talia Stewart.
Charles was riding an ATV when he collided with a car near Southwest 220th Street and 118th Avenue on Thursday night as celebratory fireworks continued in the area.
He had received the ATV as a Christmas gift just days earlier.
Initially, the family received encouraging news after Charles was taken to HCA Florida Kendall Hospital in critical but stable condition.
“He has no broken bones. There was no internal bleeding or anything like that,” Stewart said.
However, Charles was not wearing a helmet at the time of the crash and suffered swelling to his brain as a result.
Doctors are keeping him sedated for now.
“He did sustain a head injury, so right now we’re just trying to make sure that that is fine, but he is going to be out of school for the rest of the year and he’s going to be doing rehab and therapy,” Stewart said.
An athlete and student at Arthur & Polly Mays 6–12 Conservatory of the Arts, Charles is described by his family as passionate about football.
They also said he is kind and deeply devoted to his family.
“He’s a very respectful kid. We have a very big family, he’s very family-oriented,” Stewart said.
As Charles faces several months of recovery, his family is rallying around him.
“We hate that it happened so young because the brain is still developing. We do believe that God can do anything, all things, God can do anything and God is a healer, so you know that he’ll make it out,” Stewart said.
For now, the family continues to pray for more positive updates once Charles is no longer sedated.
The driver of the other vehicle was not injured, and no charges have been filed.
Charles’ family has set up a GoFundMe to help cover his medical expenses.
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