Child shot in Louisville road rage incident remains under investigation

DESPITE ADVERSITY. IT’S BEEN ABOUT A YEAR SINCE ONYX SANDS WAS SHOT IN A ROAD RAGE INCIDENT ON THE HIGHWAY. NOW SHE’S HERE ONCE A WEEK AT FRAZIER REHAB INSTITUTE IN SOUTH LOUISVILLE ADJUSTING TO HER NEW NORMAL. TELL ME IF YOU NEED HELP REMEMBERING SOMETHING, BUT I BELIEVE YOU CAN STAY STRONG AMID LIFE’S CHALLENGES. AND THEN ADJUST. SEVEN-YEAR-OLD ONYX SANDS PROVES IT’S POSSIBLE TO STAY RESILIENT WHEN YOU’RE FACE TO FACE ADVERSITY IT MAKES ME SO HAPPY AND PROUD TO SAY THIS IS MY CHILD THIS IS THE LITTLE PERSON I AM RAISING ONYX MOTHER CHINA SANDS SAYS HER LIFE CHANGED FOREVER LAST JULY WHEN ONYX WAS SHOT BY A MAN SHOOTING FROM THE SUV ONYX WAS INSIDE THE APARTMENT DURING AN ARGUMENT ON INTERSTATE 65. ONYX SUFFERED A SPINAL CORD INJURY AND NOW RELIES ON HER WHEELCHAIR TO GET AROUND, CHINA SAYS. HER DAUGHTER HAS REMAINED POSITIVE, BUT. IT’S HEARTBREAKINGLY PAINFUL AND SHE KNOWS THIS IS A BURDEN SHE DOESN’T HAVE TO BEAR. I ASKED HER BEFORE IF YOU EVER GET SAD ABOUT NOT BEING ABLE TO WALK OR BE IN A WHEELCHAIR? AND SHE SAYS SOMETIMES. BUT ONYX NEVER COME TO ME AND SAID THAT. AND I ASKED HER WHY? AND SHE SAYS WELL THAT’S BECAUSE I DON’T WANT TO MAKE YOU CRY TOO MUCH. ONYX NOW ATTENDS PHYSICAL AND OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY REGULARLY, AND AMANDA MATTINGLY OF FRAZIER REHAB SAYS SHE HAS WATCHED ONYX’S CONTINUOUS PROGRESS AS STAFF HAS WORKED TO MAKE SURE SHE REGAINS HER INDEPENDENCE. EVERYONE SAYS KIDS ARE RESILIENT, AND THEY ARE, BUT THAT DOESN’T MEAN THIS IS NOT HARD AND WASN’T A TOTAL LIFE CHANGE. UHM, BUT LIKE I SAID, SHE HAS THAT SPIRIT THAT KEEPS HER WAY AND MAKES THE BEST OF A LOT OF DIFFICULT SITUATIONS, AND ONYX SAYS SHE’S LOOKING FORWARD TO SEEING THE TEAM HERE AT FRAZIER. WHAT ARE HER LOVED THINGS TO DO WITH THEM? PLAYING. AND THROUGH HOPE AND JOY. THE SEVEN-YEAR-OLD OVERCOMES THE BIGGEST OBSTACLE SHE COULD EVER OVERCOME

Child shot in Louisville traffic accident last summer continues to adjust to new lifestyle

Updated: 19:12 EDT, July 29, 2024

It’s been a year since Onyx Sands was shot in a DUI incident on Interstate 65. She attends Frazier Rehab Institute in South Louisville weekly and continues to adjust to her new normal. Onyx’s mother, Chyna Sands, recalls the life-changing moment last July when a man shot at the SUV they were in during an argument. The incident left Onyx with a spinal cord injury and requires a wheelchair. Despite Onyx’s positive attitude, Chyna expresses how heartbreaking it is to see her daughter carry that burden. “I’ve asked her before. Are you ever sad because you can’t walk or you’re in a wheelchair? And she said, ‘Sometimes.’ But Onyx never came to me and said that. And I asked her why. And she said, ‘Well, it’s because I don’t want to make you cry,'” Chyna Sands said. Onyx now attends regular physical and occupational therapy sessions. Amanda Mattingly of the Frazier Rehab Institute has witnessed Onyx’s continued progress and noticed the resilience and drive she is showing on her road to recovery. “Everyone says kids are resilient, and they are, but that doesn’t mean this isn’t tough – and it’s a complete life change. But like I said, she has this drive that she pushes through and makes the best of a lot of difficult situations,” Mattingly said. A jury trial is scheduled for August for the three suspects arrested in the shooting.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. —

It’s been a year since Onyx Sands was shot and killed in a driving rage incident on Interstate 65.

She visits the Frazier Rehab Institute in South Louisville weekly and continues to adjust to her new routine.

Onyx’s mother, Chyna Sands, recalls the life-changing moment last July when a man shot at the SUV they were sitting in during an argument. The incident left Onyx with a spinal cord injury and now requires a wheelchair.

Although Onyx has a positive attitude, it is heartbreaking for Chyna to see her daughter carry this burden.

“I asked her before. Do you ever get sad because you can’t walk or you’re in a wheelchair? And she said, ‘Sometimes.’ But Onyx never came to me and said that. And I asked her why. And she said, ‘Well, because I don’t want to make you cry,'” Chyna Sands said.

Onyx now attends regular physical and occupational therapy sessions.

Amanda Mattingly of the Frazier Rehab Institute has witnessed Onyx’s continued progress and has noticed the resilience and spirit she brings to her road to recovery.

“Everyone says kids are resilient, and they are, but that doesn’t mean this isn’t tough – and it’s a complete life change. But like I said, she has this spirit where she pushes through and makes the best of a lot of difficult situations,” Mattingly said.

The three suspects arrested in connection with the shooting are scheduled to stand trial before a jury in August.