Bikers raise thousands in honor of Kenosha boy hurt in freak lawnmower accident

ByFrank Stealy, WDJT, CNNWire
Sunday, October 24, 2021
Kenosha 6-year-old in coma after freak lawnmower accident
Alex Hook is in a medically-induced coma after a piece of rebar flew out of a lawnmower and struck him in the head at River View Elementary.

KENOSHA COUNTY, Wis. -- More than a month later, 6-year-old Alex Hook is still recovering after a hunk of metal flew from under a lawnmower into his skull. Saturday, Oct. 23, bikers from across the region came together to support him and his family.

Organizers of Alex's Ride said hundreds of bikers, and hundreds of more people, came out to participate, stopping along at places like Hawg Haven for raffles, silent auctions and more, with proceeds going towards his recovery.

The video featured is from a previous report.

"I wanted to find a way to help out and this is the best way I know is bringing the motorcycle community together and especially for kids. We as you can see, we roll out," said Justin Guerrero, organizer of the ride.

He said they had at least 300 riders, raising at least $5,000, probably more, WDJT reported.

They stopped at bars like Bender's Bar and Grill in Silverlake, for comradery, food, drinks and fun.

Everyone who came out had been impacted by Alex's story.

"Just being in the playground and something tragic like that happens, it's terrible," said Kim Rose who came out to support Alex.

The biking community came together, even stopping to give Alex and his brother their own bike vests.

"To come together, people that don't even know the family is unbelievable," said Rose.

Back at Bender's Bar and Grill, owner Mark Rogers said he hopes this gets more people aware.

"Brain injuries are something that's unexplained right now and they're still doing a lot of research so if anything I would love to raise awareness for traumatic brain injuries because it does affect a lot of things in life," said Rogers.

Alex's family are grateful for the support.

"Really the community at large because my family couldn't have gotten through the emotional part of this without everyone's support, and certainly the financial part of this is a huge help to my sister and her whole family," said Michelle Koertgen, Alex Hook's Aunt and Godmother.

The family has started a GoFundMe page to raise money for medical expenses.

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