ST CHARLES, Mo. — His parents say Noah Berger fell in love with lacrosse when he was 8 years old.
During his senior year, the Minnesota teen was tapped captain, helped his team win a state tournament and the talented offensive attackman was named an all-American player. Noah is a finance major who has two siblings.
"He worked his tail off to get where he's at. He used to be the little run on the team. He's now one of the strongest kids on the team," Jim Berger, Noah's father, said.
Sadly, Noah's now off the field.
His parents say shortly before 1 a.m. Saturday, Noah was walking across north Kingshighway near Watson Street in St. Charles when a car hit him.
Paramedics rushed the 18-year-old freshman to a hospital with a traumatic brain injury.
"It feels like weeks. It's been long days," the Lindenwood student's dad said.
His parents remain by his hospital bed.
"You're sitting in a room staring at your child who's asleep basically. There's nothing I can do for him. I wish there was. I would trade spots with him in a heartbeat," Jim said.
His parents said their son was walking back to his dormitory when the car struck him. Investigators said the female driver had the green light and Noah wore dark clothing at the time of the accident.
Now, some good news: Noah has improved since paramedics took him to a hospital.
"Noah's a tough kid. He's doing well. He's holding steady. He had a great night last night," added the young man's father.
At this point, many people are pulling for Noah, hoping each passing day gets better for him.
"I saw it on social media. I wish him all the best. He's in my prayers," Kayleb O'Donoghue, a rugby player and senior at Lindenwood University, said.
From Lindenwood to the St. Charles neighborhood where the accident occurred to lacrosse teams around the country, everyone's rooting for Noah.
"The overwhelming support is more than amazing. The doctors keep telling up we're gonna measure his progress in weeks not days, so we'll get there," Jim said.
A GoFundMe campaign was set up to help cover the family's financial burdens. The $50,000 goal was already exceeded.
A spokesperson for Lindenwood University provided the following statement:
"Lindenwood University extends our thoughts to Noah Berger and his family and friends during this difficult time, following this tragic event. We wish him all the best in his recovery and respect the privacy of Noah, his family, and his team at this time."
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