2 Rogers Students Hit By Truck Home Recovering, 3rd Still Hospitalized

OTSEGO, Minn. (WCCO) -- Two Rogers High School students who were hit by a truck while trying to get on a school bus are now home and recovering.

Last month, 15-year-olds Ian Orina and Gretta Jansen were hit by a pick-up truck while crossing a street in Otsego. A third student, Beckett Olson, was also hit and remains hospitalized.

"I kind of blanked out before I got hit. I don't physically remember getting hit," said Ian Orina.

For Ian and Gretta Jansen, the moments leading up to the accident that forever changed their lives are moments best left forgotten.

"I remember waking up in the morning and walking out to the bus stop, but I don't remember anything after that," said Gretta.

What they do remember is being told they had serious injuries. They, along with 15-year-old Beckett Olson, were hit by a truck driven by 22-year-old Cody Pech. Investigators said Pech admitted that he was driving distracted and did not see the bus and red flashing lights when he hit the students.

"I have fractures all over my face," said Ian.

"Three broken ribs on my left side and I had to get a splenectomy because my spleen ruptured," said Gretta.

Ian also has a broken collar bone and a fractured knee cap. Gretta is recovering from fractures in both arms. Despite their injuries, their neighbor Beckett isn't as lucky. He remains hospitalized at Gillette Children's Hospital.

"He had bleeding and swelling in his brain so he had to have a brain shunt in for a little bit. He was in a coma for a while. My dad wrote how it's hard to be in this position where it's like you are dealing with a baby again. How to walk again, how to talk again," said Beckett's sister, Madison Almquist.

The families said that the communities of Otsego and Rogers have rallied around the students. Making them feel that despite everything, they consider themselves lucky.

"It's been hard. We are religious, we are Christians and believe everything happens for a reason," said Ian's mom, Gladys Onukoh.

"It's overwhelming. Unfortunately I met a lot of my neighbors this way. But I know all of my neighbors now," said Gretta's stepfather, Scott Frazier.

Ian said that he plans to return to school on Tuesday, and he should be able to play soccer this fall. Gretta told us that doctors said she can go back to school whenever she's ready, and she should make a full recovery as well.

Becket remains hospitalized, but his sister and his family said he's making progress every day.

Pech faces three felony charges of criminal vehicular operation. Investigators say there were no indication Pech was drinking, and they did not find a cell phone in his possession.

They say he was grossly negligent when he hit the students. His next court appearance will be March 1.

If you'd like to follow Beckett Olson's recovery, you can at his CaringBridge page.

A benefit has been established to help all three students with medical expenses in their recovery. Here is how you can help.