Ohio state troopers investigating the crash said a Wellsville police cruiser crashed into the boy around 7:20 p.m. Sunday off state Route 7 near the Clark Avenue off-ramp.

Troopers said Officer Danny Householder had the right of way and said the boy ran a stop sign.

The victim, 15-year-old Lawrence Cline, was airlifted by medical helicopter to Allegheny General Hospital. His brother, Eddie Cline, said he heard Lawrence had been hit by a car over his scanner.

"I thought he was dead but once I got to him … I saw he was breathing," Eddie Cline said.

For the two boys ages 11 and 12 who were riding bikes with Lawrence, watching their friend get hit was very traumatic.

Tylar McDeditt, who was there at the time of the crash, said, "He almost made it on the roof of (the police car), but he landed on the side of the road and his shoes were lying by his bike and his bike was all bent up and the front tire just disappeared over the hill somewhere."

Kline was initially in a coma, but was conscious as of Tuesday afternoon. He remained in critical condition with a collapsed lung, cracked pelvis and head injuries, his brother said.

Family members said they expect the teen to need much rehabilitation to recover from his injuries.