MANHATTAN (KSNT) – It’s a homecoming 6 months in the making. Last December, 27 News reported on a horrific crash on a Manhattan highway, that left two dead, two injured, and one in extremely critical condition.

This week, defying the odds, that teenager who was critically hurt is making his way back home.

This is Jean Carlos, who friends and family call JC.

In December of 2021, a fatal crash took the lives of two Manhattan middle schoolers. JC was rushed to Children’s Mercy in Kansas City due to his critical injuries.

“The first time I went to visit him, he was like a zombie laying in the bed, ‘Grandma’ Kathy De Hart said. “His prognosis was not good, but they honestly did not know what his prognosis was going to be.” 

Making a miraculous comeback, the soon to be 8th grader has been on journey of healing for all of 2022.

The incident left JC with severe brain trauma in two spots, one from the lack of oxygen from the crash and inhaling the smoke, the other from damage to cords connecting his spine and brain. Additionally, the teenager suffered severe burns all along his backside.

“If this little guy can push through this stuff everyday in his life,” family friend Lawrence De Hart said, “there’s no reason we can’t do all the little things we need to do in our day to day lives.”

Through physical and speech therapy, JC has progressed enough through recovery that he can finally come home later this week.

“The strongest kid I know, just seeing every milestone he made, it was like being born and having to start all over again from a new birth,” Kathy De Hart said.

📲 Download the KSNT 27 News to stay updated on the go.

📧 Sign up for KSNT 27 News email alerts to have breaking news sent to your inbox.

💻 Find today’s Top Stories on KSNT.com for Topeka and Northeast Kansas.

Lawrence is picking up the teenager this Friday, bringing him home to a celebration that will feature his favorite foods and those who have been waiting to see him back in Manhattan all of 2022.

With his homecoming so close, the weekend cannot come soon enough for members of the Manhattan community.