A tragic incident on New Year’s Day left an 8-year-old boy from Dallas without a leg after his family’s vehicle was struck by a suspected drunk driver. As of Friday, the young boy has returned home to commence his rehabilitation journey.
The child, identified as Said Abbaszade, was in the car with his parents and sister shortly after 1 a.m. on January 1 when their vehicle was T-boned while traveling north on Central Expressway. The collision was so severe that it overturned the car and ejected Said onto the roadway.
Medical professionals managed to save his life, but the extent of his injuries necessitated an amputation. Following over a month of hospitalization, Said is now concentrating on rehabilitation and preparing for a prosthetic leg.
His mother, Rukhsara Abbasova, expressed her desire for her son to return to his previous active lifestyle. “I would like to see my son how he lived his previous life,” she shared. “He’s jumping, running, playing with other kids, and I will try to do everything I can for him.”
Returning home presents new obstacles for the family. They are actively searching for a one-story residence to better accommodate Said’s mobility requirements and are considering getting him a therapy dog to assist with the emotional fallout from the accident. While Said remains optimistic about walking again, he continues to experience nightmares and apprehension about being in vehicles.
The driver of the vehicle that struck them, 23-year-old Michael Lavarius McRae, has been arrested and faces several charges, including intoxication assault causing serious bodily injury, resisting arrest, and failure to maintain financial responsibility. Currently, he is out on bond.
In a show of community support, a fundraiser aimed at helping the Abbaszade family with medical expenses and the cost of a future prosthetic has successfully raised over $114,000.
