Texas boy recovering after being hit by a race car

WILLIS, Texas (WPVI) -- A young boy is spending his birthday in the hospital following an accident at a Texas racetrack.

Morgan Harrod turned 13-years-old on Easter Sunday.

He is currently in Memorial Hermann Hospital's Pediatric Intensive Care Unit recovering from severe injuries.

Morgan's family told sister station KTRK that he really likes race cars and that his favorite driver is Kasey Kahne.

The family said it wasn't a surprise when he wanted to go to a racetrack for his birthday celebration.

Morgan's mother, Jennifer Driver, said she felt safe doing so.

Driver told KTKR that she and her son were walking up to the fence outside of the track at Gator Motorplex in Willis. She said a race car driver seemingly came out of nowhere at a fast speed.

Before she realized it, Morgan had been hit.

"I was screaming. I was crying. Honestly, I don't know if he lost consciousness for a few minutes or if he was in shock and his eyes were closed. I didn't know he was alive. I thought he was gone," said Driver. "It's the worst thing I've seen. I know the first night when I went to sleep, that's all I've seen when I go to sleep is the whole wreck over and over again because the guy didn't even stop."

Morgan's father, Brandon Harrod, immediately drove to Houston from northeast Texas. Harrod said he wants answers as to how his boy was injured at the racetrack.

"I would love to find out exactly what happened," said Harrod. "I believe the race should have stopped and that situation should have been handled before they kept racing."

Driver told KTRK that Morgan had 22 staples put in his head and suffered road rash.

Morgan is now breathing on his own.

Driver also explained Morgan's prognosis is unknown because he's heavily sedated from pain medication.

The family describes Morgan as sweet, kind, and a "mama's boy."

KTKR has learned the Willis Police Department is investigating the situation. The station says it reached out to the owner of Gator Motorplex. The owner told them over the phone Friday that Morgan was in the pit area when he was injured on Thursday evening. On Saturday afternoon, the owner said that his insurance company instructed him not to talk about the accident.

Morgan's family said they just want answers as to who ran over their boy.

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