Preventing head-injuries

(NEWSCHANNEL 3) – In Kent County, the investigation continues into a crash that killed a young cyclist.

Police say a driver hit Brad Robertson around 3:00 Sunday morning near Cherry Street and 131. He later died at the hospital.

Investigators say the driver had the right of way, and just did not see the victim crossing in front of him.

Robertson was not wearing a helmet and died of head injuries.

Robertson's death is one in a series of accidents that have killed bicyclists recently, and Grand Rapids City Commissioner David Lagrand plans to propose a city ordinance to force all bicyclists to wear a helmet. Earlier attempts have failed.

Meanwhile, some West Michigan doctors are doing their part to make sure that all cyclists are riding safely. They even started paying for the program when funding was cut.

It's a program that is Positively Michigan, local doctors donating more than just their time to keep helmets on the heads of those who need them.

Joel Scheneman recently celebrated his birthday, but he has a lot more to celebrate than just turning seven. A bump on his head is all that's left after he crashed into a car while riding his bike recently.

"I heard him scream and knew that something had happened and I quick ran outside and saw him laying in the road," said Kristi Scheneman, Joel's mother.

Joel was wearing his helmet that day, something that doctors who treated him at Holland Hospital could have saved his life.

"The doctors and nurses told him that it would have been much worse if he hadn't had a helmet on," said Kristi.

Having a helmet on is an issue close to Dr. David Lowry's heart.

"As a neurosurgeon, being someone who's often involved when it's too late it's nice to be able to get involved in the front end and prevent these tragedies from happening in the first place," said Dr. Lowry.

The hospital has been giving away free helmet to kids and adults with injuries from bike, skateboard, and scooter accidents for years.

"Anybody who comes in, even if they cut their leg on a pedal or they fall and break their arm, doesn't have to be head-related, we still give them a helmet," said Kristie Potts, trauma nurse coordinator.

But giving away those helmets got to be too much in tough times and the state grant that used to pay for the program was pulled.

So Dr. Lowry and two fellow physicians with the Brain and Spinal Center went above and beyond the call of duty.

Dr. Lowry says it was a no-brainer, keeping the helmet program going means keeping kids like Joel around for many more birthdays to come.

In 2009, the hospital has given away 20 of the helmets and say they still have plenty more to go around.