Lexington teen seriously injured in April crash returns home, remembers friend killed in wreck

LEXINGTON, Ky. (ABC36 NEWS NOW) — For the first time since a tragic crash in April, 17-year-old Noah Carbajal is home, recovering from severe injuries and mourning the loss of his best friend, Matthew Perrine.

Carbajal, who spent weeks in the hospital and rehab, suffered multiple injuries, including a broken pelvis, back, and hand. The crash, involving a truck that struck the passenger side of the vehicle he was in, left Perrine dead and Carbajal critically injured.

“I was like, how am I alive and how is he dead?” Carbajal said, remembering the moment the truck hit his side.

Family members say the accident scene was so devastating, the boys were initially unrecognizable. Jessica, Noah’s mother, was out of town when the crash happened, and his brother Caden rushed to the scene.

“There was a lot going through my mind. I just knew I wanted to get there,” Caden said.

At a welcome-home celebration on Monday, Noah reflected on his friend Matthew, calling him “a great guy” who loved baseball and always supported his friends.

Jessica said she’s grateful her son survived, calling him her “miracle baby.”

“He’s 17, but he’s still my baby,” she said.