'In God's Hands': New Lenox Teen Injured In Dirtbike Crash Recovering

NEW LENOX, IL — A New Lenox teen seriously injured in a dirtbike crash Sunday evening is facing a long recovery, his father says, and his faith has been in tight focus since he regained consciousness.

Lincoln-Way West junior Elijah James was injured Sunday in a crash with a dirtbike and car at Nelson and Delaney roads. He endured numerous injuries—several fractures in his pelvis, significant internal injuries in most of his organs, six broken ribs and cracked vertebrae—but both he and his family are grateful he's alive.

"All considered, with what it was, he’s alive, and he’ll recover," said father Randy James. "It’ll be a long recovery. Hopefully a full recovery.

"It’s in God’s hands. God has been with all of us, and protected him. We will continue to depend on Him."

As he recovers in ICU at Lurie Children's Hospital, his father speaks openly about their belief of God's intervention.

Elijah was a quarter mile from his home at the time of his accident, James said. First on the scene were the right people, in the right place at the right time: family friends who were trained EMTs, off-duty at the time.

"They saw him lying in the road ... he was unresponsive at this point," James said. They worked quickly to stabilize and comfort him, until James arrived. Police and paramedics followed shortly.

"I did nothing but be there, comfort him," James said. "Be there for him. Pray over him."

Elijah has been riding for several years, James said, and was wearing a helmet at the time of the accident. James insists on it.

"My kids don’t ride, period, without helmet and gloves," James said.

With the extent of Elijah's injuries, first responders initially wanted him airlifted to Lurie, but numerous trauma calls that evening led to a shortage in helicopters, James said. He was first taken to Silver Cross, and then later transported to Lurie via a critical care ambulance team, he said.

Once under care at Lurie, a flurry of activity surrounded Elijah.

"He had 25 amazing people working on him," James said.

The James family are members of Parker Road Bible Church in Mokena. When Elijah became conscious, he had one request: to read scripture and daily devotionals, a religious publication that provides a specific spiritual reading for each calendar day. Seeking to protect his neurological health while in recovery, James and family have read them to Elijah.

Elijah plays football and baseball at Lincoln-Way West, his father said, but football is his focus now. Conditioning and strength building are instrumental in training for the team, James said. Standing 6-foot-4 and 210 pounds, he has his size to thank for shielding him for further injury.

"All his doctoral staff—the fact that he is so big and so muscular, really protected him, possibly saved his life, kept him from more serious injuries," James said.

Elijah, who remains on a ventilator, uses a whiteboard to communicate.

"It's all God's doing," he wrote. "Tell them to spread the gospel."

In another, he wrote: "Tell everyone I love them and thank you."

"I am only alive because of prayers," he wrote in a third.

The significance is not lost on James, but he's quick to point out it's Elijah's core faith in writing: "That was all him."

"I keep coming back to pointing to God’s grace, but that’s what it has been," he said. "Not that he’s perfect, or we’re perfect, however a strong faith in so important in everyone’s lives."

James has not left the hospital, and Elijah's mother Nanette has not left his side. His two brothers and a sister have visited frequently, James said. He is set to undergo surgery Wednesday to begin repairing his pelvis.

The support the family has received has been moving, James said. The pastor of Parker Road Bible Church invited people to gather there in prayer Sunday evening. The Lincoln-Way West athletic director, principal and numerous coaches have reached out in support.

"The community outreach—not just friends of ours, the entire community—that’s what brings me to tears," James said. "... it brings me to tears of gratitude and joy over the outpouring of love and support from the community."