Severe Brain Injury Leaves Ceres Teen on Life Support After Pickup Truck Fall
A severe brain injury has left a 16-year-old boy from Ceres, California, fighting for his life after he fell from the lowered tailgate of a moving pickup truck in a school parking lot, authorities said.
Roy Anthony, 16, suffered catastrophic brain trauma Saturday afternoon and remains on life support at UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital in Oakland, according to family members and the California Highway Patrol (CHP).
“Roy is fighting for his life,” his aunt Amanda Randez wrote on a GoFundMe page created to support the family. “He has serious brain injuries and is deeply loved by everyone who knows him.”
What Happened
The incident occurred in the parking lot of Hidahl Elementary School on East Redwood Road, south of Ceres.
According to the CHP, Roy was riding on the lowered tailgate of a GMC pickup truck driven by another 16-year-old when the driver accelerated. Roy fell from the vehicle and suffered traumatic injuries.
Modesto Fire Department responders arrived to find Roy in cardiac arrest. Emergency crews provided life-saving care before transporting him to Doctors Medical Center. Due to the severity of his brain injury, he was later airlifted to UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital, where he remains hospitalized.
The teenage driver was not injured. CHP officials said alcohol and drugs do not appear to be factors, and the investigation is ongoing.
Family Describes a Life-Changing Brain Injury
In her message to the community, Randez described Roy as a kind, joyful teen who brings positivity to everyone around him.
“He’s the kind of person who lifts everyone up,” she wrote. “Our family is now facing overwhelming medical and financial challenges as we stay by his side.”
Roy’s parents have taken time off work to remain at the hospital as doctors continue to monitor his condition.
Legal Context: Brain Injuries, Minors, and Vehicle Safety
This tragedy highlights the extreme danger of riding on the exterior of vehicles—especially for minors.
Under California law:
- Vehicle Code §21712 prohibits passengers from riding in unsafe positions on vehicles, including tailgates, unless specific safety conditions are met.
- Provisional License Restrictions (Vehicle Code §12814.6) limit who newly licensed teen drivers may transport and when they may drive.
- Civil Code §1714 establishes a duty of care, meaning drivers can be held responsible for injuries caused by unsafe driving behavior—even without alcohol or drugs involved.
Rights & Compensation for Minors With Severe Brain Injuries
When a child or teen suffers a severe or traumatic brain injury, families may be entitled to compensation for:
Medical Care & Rehabilitation
- Civil Code §3333 – Allows recovery of all damages necessary to compensate for harm, including past and future medical expenses.
- Howe v. Medical Board (1990) – Confirms future medical costs must be considered when the injury is permanent.
Future Care & Life-Care Planning
- Civ. Code §3283 – Permits recovery for future damages that are reasonably certain, including lifelong care needs.
- CACI 3903A – Jury instruction allowing compensation for future medical and custodial care.
Educational Impact & Loss of Earning Capacity
- CACI 3903D – Allows damages for loss of future earning capacity, even for minors with no work history.
Out-of-Pocket Family Expenses
- CACI 3903C – Allows recovery of past economic losses, including travel, caregiving costs, and parental wage loss.
- Code Civ. Proc. §376 – Permits parents to recover expenses incurred on behalf of an injured minor.
Pain, Suffering & Loss of Quality of Life
- Civil Code §1431.2 – Preserves recovery of non-economic damages, including pain, suffering, and emotional distress.
- CACI 3905A – Jury instruction for non-economic harm in personal injury cases.
Punitive Damages (When Applicable)
- Civil Code §3294 – Allows punitive damages when injury results from reckless, malicious, or grossly negligent conduct.
Because a child’s brain is still developing, these injuries can cause lifelong cognitive, emotional, and physical impairments, making long-term planning and advocacy critical.
Key Takeaway for Families
Families are not limited to just immediate medical bills. The law recognizes that a child’s future has been altered, and compensation may reflect a lifetime of impact, not just what has already happened.
How We Can Help
If your family is facing the aftermath of a severe brain injury like Roy Anthony’s, you do not have to go through this alone. At the Brain Injury Help Center, we support families during some of the most difficult moments of their lives.
We offer:
- Free Consultations to explain your legal rights and options
- No-Win, No-Fee Guarantee — you pay nothing unless we win
- Comprehensive Support, from investigating how the injury occurred to helping families access specialized brain injury care
Medical Treatment You Need, Money You Deserve
Take the First Step Toward Justice
If your child or loved one has suffered a traumatic brain injury, contact the Brain Injury Help Center today for a free, confidential consultation. We’re here to help you seek answers, accountability, and support on the long road to recovery.
