After near-fatal accident, 11-year-old Indiana boy becomes honorary firefighter

DYER, Ind. - A northwest Indiana boy who survived a devastating accident is now being honored by the firefighters who helped save his life.

Less than three months after he was hit by a car, 11-year-old Levi Siegert is walking, smiling — and now, an honorary firefighter.

What we know:

On February 13, Levi was crossing the street near Route 30 and Hart Street in Dyer, Indiana — steps away from the Dyer Fire Department — when he was struck by a car. The driver immediately stopped and called 911.

First responders, including Dyer Fire Chief Joe Martin, arrived quickly, but the injuries were severe.

"Any call involving a child is always one of the hardest ones to deal with, especially the injuries that we were dealing with that night," said Chief Martin. "That’s why we train so hard, that’s why we prepare, and that’s why we come to work every single day in the right mindset."

Without hesitation, Martin called UCAN—the University of Chicago Medicine Aeromedical Network, a team of highly skilled flight nurses and doctors.

"And if that decision wasn’t made, we don’t think we would be here in this same scenario right now," said Ryan Siegert, Levi’s dad.

Levi suffered a traumatic brain injury, brain bruising and swelling, and a skull fracture. He was airlifted to Comer Children’s Hospital in Chicago, where he was admitted in critical condition.

"Levi’s call, and you can ask anybody that was on the scene, stuck with us," Martin said.

Levi spent about one month in the hospital and several more weeks at the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab in Streeterville, his parents said.

In early April, he walked out of rehab on his own, ringing the celebratory bell that marks a patient’s progress.

"And he’s doing amazing," said Krista Siegert, Levi’s mom.

What they're saying:

In an emotional reunion on Tuesday, the Siegert family reconnected with the first responders and medical team members who worked quickly and calmly to save Levi’s life.

"It was really good to meet them," said Levi Siegert.

Together, they celebrated Levi’s success story.

"It’s not too often that we have a win like this in our career, we deal with a lot of loss," Martin said.

The police officers, firefighters, and EMTs at the scene, along with Levi’s flight team nurses and doctors cheered him on as he walked into the Dyer Fire Department. In that moment, Levi’s courage, strength, and resilience was on full display.

"It was very overwhelming, all out of love and positivity with everyone here," Ryan Siegert said.

"You know, it’s like, they’re doing this with their whole heart," Krista Siegert added.

During the celebration, a ceremony was held to recognize Levi as an honorary firefighter with the Dyer Fire Department—he is only the second person to receive the honor. He received a custom-made plaque to mark the occasion.

The Siegert family then took part in a cookout at the firehouse.

Levi’s current progress is something that doctors told his parents could take years to reach.

"At Comer’s from day one, we were like, this is one moment at a time," Ryan Siegert said. "The fact that we’re here not even three months later is from that one-day-at-a-time mentality."

What's next:

Levi’s recovery continues with physical, occupational, and speech therapy, but Tuesday’s gathering marked an important milestone.

In another big step forward, Levi will be returning to school later this week.

A GoFundMe account established by relatives after the accident to help cover the costs of Levi’s medical care has raised more than $45,000.

DyerHealthNews