Hunter Himes, 15, of Dowers Grove died Sunday in his home from injuries he sustained from a bicycle accident last February 2012.

Himes was struck by car and pinned underneath last year inDarienas he rode his bike on a crosswalk on his way to a friend’s house. The accident left him in a vegetative state due to severe brain injuries which caused him to undergo therapy and numerous surgeries. He was placed on hospice in November by his parents, Mark and Terra Ihde.  Himes had local roots with grandparents in theIllinoisValley. 

Mark Ihde posted the following Tuesday on Hunter’s Facebook wall, “Never could I imagine this would happen to you… Every day since the accident I am haunted by this fact. See, time has stopped for me. I am still at home that warm February evening waiting for you to pull up and jump off your bike and run into the house for dinner.”

Himes would have been a freshman at Downers Grove South this year. His former school, Lakeview Junior High, and the high school let students attended the wake this Tuesday, January 15.

Many friends and family members started a website and Facebook profile called Hope for Hunter after the incident. Steven Vena, a neighbor and family friend, started a petition to increase the penalty for drivers who fail to yield to pedestrians. Currently, the offense carries a penalty of up to a $500 fine and community service. Vena has more that 1,200 supporters for the change.

Hunter’s website describes him as a boy who loved life and all that it had to offer. He played football, volleyball, and loved his guitar.