BARTOW, Fla. — A Polk County community threw a big surprise birthday party for a Bartow boy who was hit by a car in front of his home over the weekend.  

*Because the police investigation into Travis being hit by a car is still open, we will not use his or his mother's last name.

Travis, who is now 9 years old, had to be airlifted to the hospital on Saturday (Feb 5). He also had to have two rods inserted in one of his legs. 

We were told that Travis is an active kid and loves being on the water, but when news got around that a car hit him, it devastated the community.

“He was over here playing. We were grilling for his birthday and a guy was driving way too fast with his headlights off — he could have hit multiple kids, but he only struck Travis,” said his mother, Mindy.

Asked what his birthday wishes were, Travis responded, “To take the cast off.”

Since Travis’s injury left him unable to do much with his friends, the community stepped up and did the work for him.

Law enforcement officers, firefighters, bike and car club members all packed together and drove by Travis’s house to wish him a happy birthday. This kind gesture was organized by Will Dunn of “Take a Kid Fishing.”

“I’m blown away. I know William loves him to death. They fish all the time. He said he had a surprise — I didn’t expect all of this. I’m a little blown away right now,” Mindy said.