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Hastings Family Honors 16-Year-Old Critically Injured In Crash

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- Sixteen-year-old Brian Gapp was critically injured on Tuesday in a car accident in Hastings. His brother Phil explains what happened.

"He was on his way to class Tuesday when he lost control of his car on a dirt road in Hastings. He was not texting or on the phone at the time," Gapp said.

Phil said he hit a tree, leaving his brother trapped in the car, as rescue workers used the jaws-of-life to extricate him.

"The accident left him with multiple skull fractures," he said.

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Phil said Brian is an aspiring artist, and the fourth of six children. Brian was hoping to go to the St. Paul Art Crawl, but now cannot because of the accident.

So Phil is organizing friends and family to go for him, and record video of the art, to show him when he wakes up.

"And then with that video, I'm really hoping that when he wakes up, he'll be able to comprehend that video and appreciate it," he said.

Brian had only had his driver's license for three months. Phil said the family will also use his accident as a way to push for changes in the law.

"Because that is a huge factor that contributed to Brian's accident, that he's only had his license for three months," he said.

Brian is still in a medically induced coma, and doctors say his vital signs are good. Phil said the recovery could be very costly, and anyone wanting to make a donation, can do so by visiting briangapp.chipin.com.

There's also a facebook page set up, with pictures of Brian, and the aftermath of the wreck.

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