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Raeford Boy Hit By Minivan

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RAEFORD, N.C. — A 10-year-old is in intensive care after a minivan hit his bike Tuesday night in Raeford.

Police say Josh D'Annunzio has broken bones, but no brain damage. They expect him out of the hospital soon, but said he will probably spend several months recovering in a wheelchair.

D'Annunzio was riding his bike in downtown Raeford around dusk when the vehicle hit him.

"I (saw) bicycle parts flying in the air," said witness Serena Harding.

Paramedics rushed the boy to Moore Regional, and then to UNC Hospitals in Chapel Hill.

Police do not plan to file charges against the driver, saying she did not do anything wrong. They are unsure if the time of day played a role.

"(The) sun's not going down (until) 7:30-8:00 now," said Raeford Police Major Wagner Baskett. "It's still hard in the evening, because you (have) got the sun in their eyes or something of that nature."

D'Annunzio was not wearing a helmet at the time of the accident.

The young boy is a 4th grader at Fayetteville Christian School. His classmates are praying for him and saving his seat.

"I hope that he'll heal soon, and that he'll be okay and just that he won't hurt much," said classmate Christine Byrd.

D'Annunzio's father is running for the Hoke County Commission and also owns the popular Robeson County body armor store Paraclete.

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