TROY, Mich. - A teenager injured in an e-bike crash in Troy last summer is suing both the driver involved and General Motors, alleging they bear responsibility for the collision that left him seriously hurt.
The lawsuit stems from a crash captured on a dash camera by an off-duty Troy firefighter. The video shows then-14-year-old Johnathan Do riding his e-bike on the sidewalk along John R Road and crossing Square Lake Road when he was struck by a white GMC Canyon and pinned beneath the vehicle.
Watch Jolie Sherman's report in the video player below:
The pickup was a GM-owned company vehicle, according to the family's attorney.
The case took another turn this month when General Motors filed a countersuit against the teen's parents. However, the automaker withdrew that countersuit Tuesday afternoon.
"I thought was already dead at that point," Do said. "Even under the car I felt like I was already gone, and I couldn't really do anything about it. I was just lying there, accepting it."
The crash left the teen with multiple injuries, including six broken ribs, a partially collapsed lung and a bruised liver.
More than a year later, his mother, Bich Nguyen, said the moment she learned about the crash remains vivid.
"All in my mind is praying he's still alive; that's all my emotion. Even now, you're still able to feel it," Nguyen said.
The family recently watched the crash video together for the first time.
"I can't describe the feeling to see actually what happened to my kid," Nguyen said.
Earlier this year, the family filed a lawsuit against both the driver and General Motors. Attorney Lawrence Kajy, who represents the family, said they are seeking damages for pain and suffering.
"This car was actually owned by GM and was driven by an employee who GM gave that car to as an employee perk, if you will," Kajy said.
He argues the crash had a lasting impact on the teen's life.
"Because GM owned the car, there is an owner’s liability statute in Michigan, also negligent entrustment action for GM for giving a car to someone who was negligent and caused the accident," Kajy said.
"This is essentially how your life changed after the accident, and in this case, the teen was stuck under a car for 15 minutes until a firefighter had to hijack the car to get him out," he added.
General Motors originally pushed back against the family's claims, arguing the teen was riding an e-moto rather than an e-bike.
The distinction is significant because GM contends an e-moto requires registration and licensing and cannot legally be operated by someone under 18.
In a statement, GM said:
“We are grateful that everyone involved is safe and send our well wishes to the entire family. We believe it is important to continue conversations about how children and teens can stay safe when riding e-bikes and similar motorized vehicles, and will respect the legal process as this matter proceeds through the court."
Kajy disputes GM's characterization, saying the vehicle was a Class 3 e-bike with a motor under 750 watts.
According to Troy police, Class 3 e-bikes are treated similarly to bicycles and are permitted on sidewalks. Riders must be at least 14 years old and wear a helmet.
Police did not cite the teen, although he was not wearing a helmet at the time of the crash.
Kajy said the teen entered the crosswalk with the walk signal. The driver, meanwhile, was cited for careless driving.
The driver's attorney declined to comment, citing pending litigation.
As the legal battle continues, Nguyen said she hopes others will take the story as a reminder to stay alert and speak up when something isn't right.
"I want to send a message to everybody out there: just be careful, and at the same time, have a voice," she said.
