NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- A Clarksville teen nearly killed while walking to school is making a recovery that his parents and doctors said is extraordinary.

Watch This Story

Joshua Castle has improved so much that he left the hospital on Tuesday and was preparing for what could be his final big step toward recovery.

"It’s almost no words to describe it other than pure joy," said Castle’s father, Robert Cutshaw.

Just a few weeks ago, Castle was in a coma and unable to breathe with severe brain damage. The Northwest High School sophomore was struck by a car while crossing Purple Heart Highway in Clarksville on his way to school.

Castle lost one of his legs and suffered severe brain damage.

After weeks of treatment at Nashville's Select Specialty Hospital, he's far ahead of what was expected.

"Right now, he's coming back. He even has a little of his sarcasm still," Cutshaw said.

Castle's parents said it truly is amazing how much he's improved.

They said that at times they did not think he would make it. But now they said he is communicating with them by writing on a pad and that he smiled at them for the first time this week.

Doctors called his progress dramatic and remarkable, and Castle's parents said they think prayer had a lot to do with it. So many people called that his mom created a MySpace page to keep his friends updated with pictures from the very early stages to the first time Castle was able to open his eyes.

While Castle, who just celebrated his 16th birthday, has a way to go, he's come a long way.

"We miss the old Josh, but for what he's been through, we could not be more happier, we really could not," Cutshaw said.

Castle will spend a month at a rehab hospital in Atlanta, where he'll work to regain his memory.

Doctors said he may be able to go home from there, depending on his progress.