Dragged by semi, teen looks forward

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) - While riding his bike in Montague in August, Tyler Cumings was run over by a semi-truck, then dragged by his backpack for 50 feet and had his arm trapped under a truck tire.

The 17-year-old lost his right hand, his forearm and the use of his legs.

He's now recovering at Mary Free Bed Hospital, and in a conversation with 24 Hour News 8 he seems to be spending more time planning his future.

"Adapt and overcome" was the motto Cumings said he would live by in order to overcome his circumstance. In addition to his heavy therapy schedule, he is on track to graduate on time from Montague High School.

He wants to go to college, then he wants to do what he loves -- spending time outdoors -- maybe working in a natural resources job.

Investigators found an iPod still on at the scene when they arrived and they're not sure if he was distracted and rode into the truck. Cumings said he has no memory of the accident or a two-week period around it.
However, he said, there's a lesson to be learned.

"Make sure you can see far down the road both ways because maybe I was listening to music or I could not see because of the trees. I don't know. I just don't want this to happen to other kids."

He said he was somewhat surprised he survived. "Yes and no, because I'm a fighter. I'm strong, you know."

Cumings will finish his physical therapy at Mary Free Bed next Friday. But this Saturday, he plans to attend a fundraiser being held for him in North Muskegon. The money will help the family pay for expenses not covered by the family's insurance.

The benefit begins at 6 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 27, at Crosswinds Fellowship Church, 1910 Ruddiman in North Muskegon. Two bands, Birdsongs and Uncommon Road will perform in the benefit concert.

He's looking toward the future.

"I go by my motto.  Adapt and overcome.  So, yeah, because I need to adapt to my new life and I have to overcome it."