Students, teachers and alumni are hopefully watching the progress of Cody Mauermann, an 18-year-old graduate of Lake Worth Christian School who was seriously injured Sunday morning when he was ejected from his SUV when it flipped on Floridas Turnpike.

About 10 students came in my office this morning before first period. They want the latest news. Everybody wants to know how they can help Cody and his family, said Jim Harwood, athletic director of the 470-student K-12 private school on High Ridge Road.

Mauermann, an avid surfer and skateboarder, was driving alone north about 8 a.m. in the far right lane when his vehicle swerved to the left. The vehicle flipped several times over three lanes and hit the guard rail between the north and south lanes. Mauermann landed on the median at milemarker 128, just north of the Martin County Line, Harwood said.

Mauermann used his cell phone to call his parents, who were waiting to meet him in Orlando. After telling them he was OK, he passed out. A passerby pulled over, saying to Roger Mauermann the words every parent fears.

Sir, your son is in bad shape, the passerby told Roger, who along with his wife Debbie own Arctic Air Conditioning and Heating in Boynton Beach. The couples oldest son Ryan graduated from the school two years ago. Another son Lane is a fifth-grader there.

Cody was flown to Lawnwood Medical Center in Fort Pierce. His spine was fractured in two places, his pelvis is shattered and he sustained severe injuries to his right hand and left leg. He has already undergone at least two major operations, and expects to be in Orlando Regional Medical Center for at least six weeks, Harwood said.

The good news is he is able to wiggle his toes after an operation to his leg, Harwood said.

Cody is not complaining. I was told he keeps saying he is worried about how his mom is handling this, said Linda Zylstra, a pre-K teachers aide at the school.

Roger and Debbie Mauermann could not be reached.

Since graduating, Cody has been volunteering to help Harwood with the schools baseball and softball teams. Mauermann has been chipping in about a dozen hours a week setting up the fields and selling concessions.

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Ex-Lake Worth Christian student severely injured in accident