A Florida family’s darkest fears have given way to cautious hope after 17-year-old Anthony McBride Jr. regained consciousness following a six-week coma caused by an electric bike crash.
McBride was riding an e-bike near the intersection of NW 29th Street and North Andrews Avenue in Wilton Manors in early August when two cars struck him.
The devastating collision left the teenager in a deep coma for six weeks, while doctors warned his family that it was uncertain whether he would ever wake up.
“It’s been a nightmare. I’ve been at the hospital with him nearly every day. It’s been emotional,” his father, Anthony McBride Sr., told NBC 6.
Following the crash, McBride was treated in the intensive care unit at Broward Health Medical Center. An MRI revealed that he had suffered a stage 3 diffuse axonal injury, a severe form of traumatic brain damage.
The precise circumstances of the collision remain unclear. Wilton Manors police said all of the drivers involved were identified and cooperated with investigators.
Doctors told the McBride family that the seriousness of the injury meant his chances of regaining consciousness were low, though not impossible. His father called the crash “incredibly scary.”
Throughout the ordeal, the family remained by Anthony’s side. His father also used social media to keep friends, relatives and supporters informed about the teenager’s condition.
Then, at the end of August, the family received the breakthrough they had been praying for: Anthony had awakened after suffering what his father described as a “catastrophic traumatic brain injury.”
A video posted on Facebook captured the emotional moment the teenager lifted his hand and waved toward the camera after weeks of remaining unresponsive.
Anthony McBride Jr., 17, was crossing Andrews Avenue in Fort Lauderdale on an electric bike when he was struck by two cars in early August. He is pictured with his father, Anthony McBride Sr., who described the crash as “incredibly scary.”
The devastating crash left Anthony in a deep coma for six weeks, and doctors were unsure whether he would regain consciousness. His family was told that, because of the severity of his injuries, his chances of waking were low but not impossible.
“I can’t even put into words what it feels like to see this. Something as simple as a wave may not seem like much to most people, but to us, it is absolutely HUGE,” McBride wrote in a Facebook post.
Anthony is now in stable condition but remains in a state doctors described to his father as a “disorder of consciousness.”
The teenager has opened his eyes and moved his eyebrows, although he is not yet fully aware of his surroundings. According to a statement posted by his father on Facebook, Anthony has responded to touch and sound and is gradually building more motor strength each day.
“I want people to know that he is responsive. He is showing us that he is aware, he is reacting, and he continues to give us little signs that he is still in there and still fighting… every response, every movement, every look, and every little bit of progress means absolutely everything,” McBride wrote.
Photos shared by the family also show that the crash left Anthony missing several teeth.
The McBrides have launched a GoFundMe campaign to help cover medical costs and other expenses during Anthony’s long recovery from the “incredibly scary” accident.
At the end of August, Anthony’s father announced that the teenager had awakened after suffering what he called a “catastrophic traumatic brain injury.” In a Facebook video, Anthony can be seen raising his hand to wave at the camera after weeks of being unresponsive.
McBride told Our News Outlet that donations will help pay for rehabilitation and outpatient therapy not covered by the family’s insurance.
One supporter wrote: ‘My friend, I want you to know that even though his recovery is progressing slowly, every small improvement matters and gives us another reason to remain hopeful. The love and strength of family and friends are often the best medicine for moving forward.’
‘This is such incredible news! In life I’ve learned that some of the littlest things carry tremendous meaning and bring the most joy. Dad, you’re doing a great job. Anthony Jr. keep fighting!’ another commenter wrote in reaction to his recovery.
McBride had taken unpaid leave from work to tend to his son and navigated unexpected hardship as a result. He has since returned to work but only part-time, he told Our News Outlet.
The family has raised $15,000 of their $750,000 goal so far.
‘I want my son to know that I am right here beside him, and I am not going anywhere. I don’t care how long this road is. I don’t care how hard it gets. If this takes months, years, or however long it takes, he will never have to go through this alone,’ McBride wrote on social media.
He encouraged his son to keep fighting and let him know that there was nowhere else in the world he would rather be than by his side through the good days, the hard days or anything in between.
Our News Outlet has asked for details on Anthony Jr’s current medical condition and updates on his recovery process.
Since early August, at least three other minors have been struck while riding electric bikes and scooters in South Florida, according to the Broward Health Medical Center.
In early September, a 10-year-old girl from Miami-Dade was killed in a hit-and-run crash as she was cycling with her brother.
Florida lawmakers pushed to pass a law regulating e-bikes earlier this year, but it was vetoed by Governor Ron DeSantis in June.
Ben Sorensen, the Fort Lauderdale City Commissioner has confirmed to news outlets that the city has been working on new regulations.
Our News Outlet has also reached out to Wilton Manors Police Department for comment and additional details.
