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Justin Covarrubias, left, a Canyon High junior who was seriously hurt in a crash, sits with a friend next to a motocross race track
Justin Covarrubias, left, a Canyon High junior who was seriously hurt in a crash, sits with a friend next to a motocross race track

Canyon Country Teen Seriously Hurt In Motocross Crash

A Santa Clarita Valley family is praying for their 16-year-old son’s recovery, after Canyon High junior Justin Covarrubias was seriously injured in a recent motocross crash in Rialto.


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“It’s been a living nightmare — it’s awful,” said Jamie Covarrubias, Justin’s mother. “Everybody’s whole world is being turned upside down.”

Justin Covarrubias, left, a Canyon High junior who was seriously hurt in a crash, sits with a friend next to a motocross race track

Justin Covarrubias, left, a Canyon High junior who was seriously hurt in a crash, sits with a friend next to a motocross race track

Justin competed in four races Sept. 28, and around 4:30 p.m., Justin’s father saw something was amiss during his son’s last race on the Milestone MX track when he could no longer find him on the track during the race.

The family is still unclear on exactly how Justin became injured because he was riding alongside several others when his bike went down.

The crash didn’t look too bad at first and there was no collision on the track, according to witnesses, Jamie Covarrubias said. However, Justin was immediately taken to Arrowhead Regional Hospital, and after a CT Scan revealed spinal injuries, he was taken to Loma Linda.

Justin sustained a minor head injury, which doctors believe they were able to repair in surgery. However, more troubling were injuries Justin sustained to his spinal cord, his mother said.

The T-5 and T-6 vertebrae in the middle of his back were broken in the crash and, as of now, Justin has no feeling below his waist and a 3 percent chance of walking again.

“He could be the 3 percent,” Jamie Covarrubias said, “but the odds are against him. They haven’t had a chance to awaken him and (perform tests).”

The Covarrubias family, pictured on a fundraising page set up to help Justin

The Covarrubias family, pictured on a fundraising page set up to help Justin

There is still some uncertainty because Justin has had several complications since his hospitalization, she said.

After Justin was transferred to a specialized facility in Loma Linda due to the severity of his injuries, he came down with severe pneumonia because of his weakened immune system.

The illness left Justin in need of a breathing tube and the breathing tube led to a throat infection.

As a result, Justin has been heavily medicated and it’s been impossible for doctors to fully assess the extent of her son’s injuries, she said.

She described Justin as a good student who rides practically every weekend and doesn’t party much.

Justin picked up the motocross bug from his father at a young age, Jamie Covarrubias said. He learned how to balance on a bike at age 2, and by age 4 he was competing for fun and trophies with other kids, she said.

Justin’s 10-year-old brother set up a GiveForward page to help the family called “Pray for Justin 110,” which was a reference to his racing number.

“He has school and it’s been tough on him,” Jamie Covarrubias said, referring to her youngest. “He’s been having a lot of anxiety.”

The page has already raised $6,930 after a $5,000 goal, which has been a great  help to the family because they’ve constantly had to spend so many nights in a hotel, and they’re not sure when Justin will be able to come home.

In the meantime, the family has been commuting 100 miles to see Justin and taking time off work to stay with him, while Justin’s grandmother stays with the teen’s younger brother, Jamie Covarrubias said.

“It’s just awful,” Jamie Covarrubias said, “but at the same time, I thank God that I have him because it could have been worse, because I still have him.”

 

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KHTS AM 1220 - Santa Clarita Radio

Canyon Country Teen Seriously Hurt In Motocross Crash

6 comments

  1. Canyon Country family needs our help!!! Lets show this mom how we support each other in the community. They need ours prayers and if you are abundant in your blessings financially please share your overflow.

  2. Heartfelt prayers sent for your son Justin #110 and your family!May he have a full recovery !

  3. Mindless hobby. But so is soccer. If you participate in either, you probably won’t have one for long. :o( Hope you recover soon!

    • To L Johnson how dare you even bother to comment. You obviously know nothing about the skill and dedication and concentration it takes to ride a dirt bike. Your comment was insensitive and totally out of line especially at this very difficult time for this family. You are mindless. This is a hobby and sport that can involve the whole family and not just parents sitting on the sidelines watching. Shame on you but let me guess you don’t even GET IT . To Justin and his family stay strong and stay together. You can do this.

  4. Does anyone know if there are any fundraisers being organized at/by/through Canyon High?

    And to the comment above, how ignorant. LIFE is dangerous.. this kid was living, doing what he loves. Just crossing the street or going to the mall is a crapshoot these days.

  5. My thoughts and prayers are with Justin and his entire family. My grandchildren ride dirt bikes, I am constantly aware of the dangers involved and have my own reservations about the sport, but it is their choice of enjoying a sport that is fulfilling to them, does not involve drugs or crime, and as SoCaRodeoMom said, just going to the Mall, etc., is just as dangerous these days! God Bless Justin, watch over him and grant him the 3% MIRACLE so that he can once again enjoy a full life.

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About Perry Smith

Perry Smith is a print and broadcast journalist who has won several awards for his focused, hyperlocal community coverage in several different regions of the country. In addition to five years of experience covering the Santa Clarita Valley, Smith, a San Fernando Valley native, has worked in newspapers and news websites in Los Angeles, the Northwest, the Central Valley and the South, before coming to KHTS in 2012. To contact Smith, email him at Perry@hometownstation.com.