Wayland Middle Bicyclist is at Home Recovering

Helga Lewenberg says her daughter's bicycle helmet took the brunt of the impact when an unlicensed driver struck the Wayland Middle School student on her way to class Friday morning.

Solvai Lewenberg was crossing the street with her peers at the intersection of East Plain and Main streets Friday morning when police say an unlicensed driver ran a red light, colliding with Lewenberg and sending her to the hospital.

According to her mother, the 12-year-old suffered a broken tooth and some bruises and contusions.

"She's doing fine otherwise," Lewenberg said, explaining that the family recently returned home from the hospital where her daughter, who just started seventh grade, was evaluated. "She's just sore. She just mostly upset maybe that her bicycle is broken. She'll be fine."

Lewenberg said the school children were "completely in the right" when the crash occurred. "The kids had the signal," she said. "They didn't do anything wrong."

Furthermore, the incident should serve as a reminder to parents of the importance of bicycle helmets, Lewenberg insisted.

"The helmet was cracked," she said. "It was cracked. If she hadn't worn a helmet this would have been much, much worse. It's a brand new helmet and it clearly took the brunt of things."

According to Lewenberg, her daughter said her best friend helped her feel better while waiting for her mother and emergency personnel to arrive. 

"Solvai and I wanted to mention her thanks to all the policeman, firemen and medics that were there for her so fast," Lewenberg said. "Also thanks to her best friend who stayed calm and called me right away."

Orellano Ismael, 32, of 87 Bellingham St. in Chelsea, was arrested and charged with unlicensed operation and running a red light.