Bike Helmet Saved My Life: Child

An El Cajon boy struck by an SUV while trying to cross a busy intersection can thank his bicycle helmet he survived.

Keith Rube Norton was riding his bike to school when he was hit June 3 in the crosswalk at East Madison and East Main Streets.

The 9-year-old ended up pinned under the vehicle.

Deep scrapes and tire tracks on the Norton's helmet show just how bad things could have been if he hadn't been wearing one.

β€œIf I never had my helmet on I could have been dead right now," he said.

Norton spoke about the experience outside his school, Madison Avenue Elementary School on Tuesday.

"It was my turn to go, I looked [the driver] dead in the eyes, and she kept on going,” he said. β€œI tried to dodge her a little and I think my tire hit the car and it got stuck under it."

"I think I woke up under the car and I was stuck and my helmet was stuck,” said Norton.

The El Cajon police officers and firefighters who helped rescue Norton presented him with a brand new bike and helmet.

Officers used the event to remind Norton’s classmates to wear a helmet at all times with the chinstrap fastened.

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