Family asks for prayers for injured boy

Benjamin Castro, the 4-year-old Brainerd boy severely injured after being hit by a vehicle Tuesday, opened his eyes Thursday but remains in critical condition at North Memorial Medical Center in Robbinsdale.

Mark Bjorlo, pastor at Journey North Community Church and family spokesman, said, "He's not doing well. There will be some brain damage but they don't know to what extent yet and probably won't for some time."

But Bjorlo said Benjamin opened his eyes Thursday afternoon and moved his hands a bit.

"Whether or not that ends up being good it's hard to know, but it felt encouraging to the family," Bjorlo said. The best-case scenario from doctors, he said would be that the swelling goes down and the piece of skull is re-attached in a week or so. Bjorlo said it is anticipated Benjamin will still spend months in recovery at North Memorial Medical Center.

Benjamin suffered head injuries after riding his bike into the oncoming path of a sport-utility vehicle driven by Jim Pryor, 67, on Russell Road off Riverside Drive in northwest Brainerd. Both Benjamin's family and Pryor live on the narrow, tree-lined road.

Bjorlo drove Benjamin's family to the Twin Cities hospital Tuesday after the boy was airlifted from St. Joseph's Medical Center in Brainerd.

Bjorlo said Benjamin's brain has swelled, necessitating surgery to remove a piece of his skull to alleviate the swelling. He also said a CT scan showed Benjamin had suffered a series of strokes on the left side of his brain.

Bjorlo said the family requests people pray that Benjamin doesn't suffer any lasting brain damage and that he recovers to full health.

"But it's way too early for them to have any hopefulness yet," Bjorlo said.

A CaringBridge Web site has been set up for Benjamin at www.caringbridge.org/visit/bennycastro. Bjorlo said messages of encouragement and prayers left at the Web site have been a source of comfort for the family.

Also, a fund, called Benefit for Benny, has been set up for the Castro family at Mid-Minnesota Federal Credit Union.

Benjamin's parents, Richard and Jenny Castro, own New Song Ministries, which houses Crossroads Music Cafe, in downtown Brainerd. They provide music for Journey North Community Church and Temple Baptist Church. They had planned to move to Scottsbluff, Neb., to be closer to family and start a New Song Ministries there. Benjamin also has an older brother, AJ.

MATT ERICKSON may be reached at matt.erickson@brainerddispatch.com or 855-5857.