KENNER, La. — A 12-year-old boy will save up to eight lives through organ donation. Adrian Fajardo was playing video games in his Kenner home when a speeding ice cream truck crashed into his home landing Adrian in the hospital and in critical condition.
Thursday his family announced they have made the difficult and selfless decision to donate his organs. They learned Wednesday that Adrian was brain-dead.
"Adrian was a very special kid. We always knew he was extremely special," said Adrian's uncle, Luis Maradiaga.
His family said he was an intelligent 12-year-old full of life with strong faith.
"He was joyful he was extremely happy all the time," said Joel Orellana, another of Adrian's uncles.
Orellana and Maradiaga said their beloved nephew will now live on through others as his parents were left with an unimaginable decision after learning their son was brain-dead.
"Decided they are going to donate his organs to try and save as many people as they can," Orellana said.
Adrian was playing video games in his bedroom Saturday afternoon when this speeding ice cream truck crashed into his family's apartment. It's still not clear why. Kenner police arrested the ice cream truck driver, 71-year-old Mechael Mansoor for negligent injuring and reckless operation of a vehicle.
"The legal matters we will be dealing with when we get a chance," Orellana said.
"Our question was why, but God has a purpose for everything. Right now Adrian is becoming a hero. His legacy will live for a long, long time. He will be an organ donor and that’s a beautiful thing," Maradiaga said.
The decision to donate his organs was made easier by their pastor from Berbo Church, Pastor Luis Behrhorst, a donor-recipient himself.
"I'm a recipient. I have a kidney and pancreas," Behrhorst said.
Adrian's family has found comfort in knowing their son will offer others the gift of life.
"He's going to give life like a new star in heaven but he's going to shine in earth through different people," Behrhorst said.
While his brain was severely damaged, Adrian's family said the medical team was amazed all of his organs were intact.
"According to the medical staff, his organs didn’t suffer any damages. That’s where the miracle is," Maradiaga said.
It's still unclear what caused the crash. According to Kenner police, the driver claimed the van suddenly accelerated and the gas pedal was stuck, but a court-certified mechanic performed a forensic exam on the van, and determined that never happened. Once the coroner pronounces the child deceased, the suspects charges will likely upgrade from negligent injuring to negligent homicide.
This is a developing story. Stay with WWL-TV for updates as new information becomes available.
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