FLEMING ISLAND, Fla. – A 14-year-old Fleming Island High student, who suffered a traumatic brain injury in a crash while walking with his bicycle in August, continues his uncertain path to healing, his family told News4JAX.
Ashwanth Kalidas was hit by a truck on Aug. 31, 2025, off of Highway 17 in Clay County and has endured multiple brain surgeries and countless tests since.
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Ashwanth is still fighting for his life due to ongoing complications with fluid in his brain. Because of that, since August, he has been transferred back and forth from Wolfson Children’s Hospital to Brooks Rehab. Right now, he’s still learning to walk, and speaking very slowly. The left side of his face and body are quite weak, making things harder for him.
His family started a GoFundMe to help cover some of the extensive physical, occupational, and speech rehabilitation therapies that aren’t covered by insurance.
It has raised over $44,000 so far, and his family says they are incredibly grateful for the support of their community.
“Your generosity is helping us bridge that gap and give him the best possible chance to heal and regain independence,” the family wrote in an update on the GoFundMe page.
News4JAX has learned that Ashwanth’s father has returned to work after using all of his available time off. His mother continues to support her son’s recovery at both Brooks and Wolfson Children’s Hospital. They tell News4Jax since the accident, they have not spent one second away from their son.
News4JAX will be speaking with Ashwanth’s mother, Devi, today and will share more of his family’s story, including their future plans to take legal action and try to find out more about what may have happened the night he was struck by a driver.
Check back for updates.