Wyandotte Teen Struck by Train Suffered Seizure Monday, but is Responsive to Familiar Voices

Jacob Marion, the 14-year-old student hit by a train on Feb. 28, suffered a seizure Monday, but is now showing "encouraging signs," according to his family.

In a statement released by his family, they say he "does respond to familiar voices, touch, and sometimes follows commands from loved ones, nurses, and doctors."

The teen remains in critical condition at Children's Hospital of Michigan. According to his family, he has suffered severe head trauma, two broken vertebrae in his neck, a punctured lung, a lacerated liver, a fractured pelvis and the loss of his right hand.

He successfully underwent surgery Friday to have . Doctors are still monitoring the swelling and bleeding in his brain.

"Patience is what we need to have while the brain heals, and it’s the hardest thing to remember … Jacob is in a marathon, not a sprint," the family's statement says.

Jacob was struck and dragged by a train near Oak and Ninth streets about 4:30 p.m. Tuesday. According to police, while wearing an iPod and headphones when the train hit him. The train's engineer blew a whistle several times, but it's believed the teen never even heard it.

Here is the full statement from his family:

Jacob has his ups and downs and will most likely take steps backwards for every inch of ground he gains. There is still great concern for the swelling of his brain, as it creates pressure that can trigger seizures. Jacob suffered one Monday morning. Although it was distressing to hear, the doctors had expected it. In fact, they were surprised he hadn't had one sooner, and they didn't want to medicate for it unless he really needed it. The pressure in his head Tuesday was at an acceptable level.

While he has not regained full consciousness, we have seen encouraging signs that the Jacob we know and love is fighting to come awake.  He is receiving heavy sedation for pain, to prevent anymore seizures, and to keep movement at a minimum while his body starts to heal. This may add to the length of time it takes for him to come around. Patience is what we need to have while the brain heals, and it’s the hardest thing to remember… Jacob is in a marathon, not a sprint.

He does respond to familiar voices, touch, and sometimes follows commands from loved ones, nurses, and doctors. He is still on a respirator, and that leaves him unable to use his voice to communicate. One step towards breathing on his own is the healing of his lung and the removal of the chest tube that was inserted when it was punctured. That came out Tuesday morning.

We have all been moved to tears by all the loving support! Reading posts from Jacob’s friends and , assures us that many, many others recognize what a special, caring, young man he is. More prayers are needed to sustain all of us on this long journey, and to lift Jacob out of the dark and into the light.

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