Until late last month, nine-year-old Joel Corbin was a lively high spirited kid, who lived on his skateboard.
But minutes after 6:00 p.m. on August 28th, everything changed.
Joel and his 17-year-old sister Juanita were paying their dinner bill inside a Maple Ridge sushi restaurant when a truck crashed through the front window.
Joel was dragged under a truck, says his uncle John Finley.
There were almost a dozen people in the restaurant.
Two women died, and while Joel and Juanita survived, Joel's prognosis is not good.
During a press conference Tuesday, his family told reporters the young boy suffered brain damage, and predicted that it could be permanent.
He is currently a resident in Vancouver's Sunny Hill Hospital in Vancouver, a specialized care facility for children, where a rehabilitation process is now under way.
Joel will likely lose the sight in his right eye and his family has no idea if Joel will walk or talk again.
"I just want him to come back, you don't realize how precious life is until you see a little boy like that,'' said his uncle Gus Knobbe.
--Uncle Gus Knobbe
His aunt Valinda they says that if the family says something to the boy, he can hear what is being said, but he can't see and can't speak.
Joel's parents Roberta and Mike were not at Tuesday's press conference. They haven't left their son's side since the incident, and will likely have to provide full time care preventing them from working as they normally would.
Police believe the driver of the truck intentionally drove his vehicle at the restaurant. He has been charged with murder.
Meanwhile, a trust fund has been set up for the injured boy. Anyone who wishes to make a donation can do so at the following address:
Joel Corbin Trust Fund
Vancity Credit Union in Maple Ridge
Account # 162651. Branch #29
With a report by CTV British Columbia's Lisa Rossington.
