4-year-old returns home following ATV accident

HENDERSON — A 4-year-old boy critically injured in an ATV accident is back home recovering while the vehicle’s driver awaits formal charges related to the incident.

Despite suffereing three brain bleeds, a bruised lung and fracturing every bone in his face, Kolbe Klindt was released from Creighton University hospital Thursday night. He arrived there via a Lifenet helicopter March 31 in critical condition.

“He is acting like your typical four-year-old boy and getting into trouble like a typical four-year-old boy does,” Kolbe’s mother, Ashley, said Monday morning in an interview with the Red Oak Express. “He’s supposed to sit on the couch and veg out watching movies, but he’s not very good at sitting still.”

Kolbe, of Henderson, was with his father at a barbecue Saturday when he was struck by an ATV driven by Garret Horgdal, 28, of Henderson.

“The ATV driver lost control and headed straight for Kolbe and (his dad) Erik,” Ashley said. “Kolbe got scared and ran away from Erik … and that’s when he got hit.”

Ashley said her son was knocked into the air and slammed into a building before the ATV landed on top of him.

“It could have been much, much worse,” she said.

While Kolbe’s wounds heal, legal charges have already been filed against the ATV’s driver, Garret Horgdal, 28, of Henderson and more may be pending.

The day after the accident, Horgdal was charged with driving while barred, habitual offender. He previously pleaded guilty to charges of driving on a barred license in 2002 and 2004, and to charges of driving without a valid license in 1997 and 2002.

However, a more serious charge of Operating While Intoxicated may be forthcoming. According to Mills County Sheriff Chief Deputy Bruce Paulsen, Horgdal failed a breathalyzer test at the scene of the accident, indicating a blood alcohol content level in excess of .08 percent.

A blood sample was taken from Horgdal to confirm his BAC and Paulsen expects results will be back from that within a month, at which time a decision will be made regarding any additional charges. Horgdal was also convicted of OWI in 2007.

Ashley said they were aware Horgdal had been drinking that day and was warned not to drive.

“Everybody at the party had warned him not to get on the ATV, but he did anyway,” she said.

Despite that and the apparent fact the driver was intoxicated before critically injuring her son, Ashley said she and Erik hold no ill will against Horgdal, who’s also their neighbor.

“It was just an accident,” she said. “He would never mean to do anything like this.”

Kolbe is expected to have his stitches removed from his face Tuesday, but Ashley said he will have to undergo at least a couple more surgeries to remove scar tissue.

A savings account has been established to help the Klindt’s pay medical bills. Donations can be made at any Rolling Hills Bank and Trust location. A benefit dinner and poker run is also scheduled for the Klindt’s on May 5 in Carson.