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Teen overcomes traumatic brain injury, set to graduate

A joy ride with friends two years ago changed his life forever. Doctors had only given him 24 hours to live. This weekend Tre Bolden is set to graduate high school.

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — Among the students graduating this weekend is one Moody senior who didn't know if he would make it to this day.

It was just two years ago when Antrevon "Tre" Bolden ended up with severe brain trauma after a night of joyriding with friends took a life-altering turn.

The teen is grateful to get the chance to walk the stage.

It's something he's worked hard to accomplish, and he hopes his story will help prevent any other students from making a similar mistake that almost cost him his life.

"I did it I finally did it, I made it! A lot of people were saying that I wasn't going to do it, that you are not going to graduate, you are not going to live," Tre said.

But here he is, two years after he started a difficult journey of recovery.

"It was a lot, it was extremely hard only because knowing I did this to myself," he said.

In January 2022 when Tre, who was 17 at the time, went out to joy ride with friends.

He was attempting to car surf when the driver reportedly made a turn and Tre flew off.

His body dropped off at the doorstep of his grandmother's home.

Tre's grandmother -- who he calls mom -- Tricia Stallion, still doesn't know who helped him that night.

"I owe that man at least a thank you," Stallion said. "He found my son lying, left for dead and he brought him to my house. Checking his vitals and starting to do CPR as I called 911."

Tre was taken to Christus Spohn Shoreline where he underwent emergency brain surgery. Part of his skull had to be removed.

"Tre is a miracle and I won't change my mind from that, that night the doctor told me he only had 24 hours to live," Stallion said.

Cell phone video gave us a glimpse into a painful recovery that would take time.

"I saw the videos the other day and I'm not going to lie, I did start crying," Tre said.

He had to learn how to walk again, learn how to talk and even how to eat again.

Motivated first by family and his physical therapist, he pushed forward.

He also shared how it was negative comments on social media about the incident that fueled his fire to get better. 

He read some of them that he saved on his phone. "Imagine being a vegetable," said one comment.  "Play stupid games," said another.

"Yes it was stupid, I had to live with that, we all make mistakes, one hell of a learning experience," said Tre.

Tricia remembers his first words.

"Started sounding out his words, his first words were 'lucky charms,' that was his first words," she said.

Tre was lucky, and determined.

"I just love being able to prove people wrong that's what I live for, I love proving people wrong," he said.

He went back to school.

Tre is now focused on his future and hopes his story will help prevent others from making dangerous decisions with life-long impacts.

"Appreciate what you have, don't take it for granted cause you never know it could be gone just like that," he said.

His family is extremely proud of him for how far he's come since the accident.

Tre currently works and will be attending Del Mar College to study graphic design.

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