Riding next to the trash truck made Caleb Carvalho nervous. He was on his bicycle, headed to school. The 14-year-old was upbeat that day, eager — it was Sept. 5, and that afternoon he was planning to play in the first Helix High School freshman football game of the season. His mom had taken a picture of him wearing his green jersey that morning. Then the driver turned right, he recalled. Caleb ended up underneath the truck, its back wheels rolling over him, breaking his pelvis and changing his life. In the seven weeks that followed, Caleb has focused on healing. The community of La Mesa and beyond have rallied behind the teen and his family, and donations have raised more than $83,000 toward his recovery and a custom van. He needs one big enough to accommodate his wheelchair. Caleb Carvalho, 14, does the coin toss before the start of the game against Grossmont at Helix High School on Oct. 17. (Kristian Carreon / For The San Diego Union-Tribune) The crash upended his family’s life. Caleb, his parents David and Joss Carvalho and 17-year-old brother Ethan, all had to move from their La Mesa apartment to the Clairemont home of Joss’ aunt to stay in a place big enough to accommodate Caleb’s hospital bed. There have been special moments since the crash, like a fundraiser a few weeks ago that drew a couple former NFL players. Like the chance to do the coin toss before the freshman football home game on Oct. 16. Like going to church a few days after that, the first time since the crash, and sharing his testimony and singing. When Caleb gets down, his mother said, he puts on Christian music and sings along. He longs to return to playing bass. “I want to get back to it,” he said. “It brings me joy.” La Mesa police said the collision happened just before 7:45 a.m. as both the bicyclist and the truck were headed westbound on University Avenue west of La Mesa Boulevard. “Based on the investigation at the scene, the truck turned in front of the bicyclist, who struck the side of the truck and was pulled under the rear wheels,” Lt. Katy Lynch said last month. An update on the investigation was not immediately available Friday. Caleb still remembers feeling the truck tires rolling over his body. “I couldn’t move. My body was in shock,” Caleb recalled earlier this month. The pain was intense, but he remained conscious throughout, able to answer the paramedics’ questions and provide the La Mesa police officer with his mom’s phone number. His mother said last week that Caleb has since undergone three surgeries and his pelvis had to be reconstructed. His back was injured, and he also has sciatic nerve damage. He remains in intense pain at times, he and his mother said. He is also now dealing with drop foot. She said it’s not clear when he will be able to walk or how well he will be able to do so. Caleb Carvalho, 14, and his father David Carvalho speak during a game at Helix High School on Oct. 17. (Kristian Carreon / For The San Diego Union-Tribune) Caleb is being homeschooled this semester, and possibly the remainder of the school year. But he’s staying connected, playing online video games with friends, who also stop by to play in person. Caleb holds tight to his Christian faith. It helps him, and he wants to help others in similar situations. “I’m going to get through this, and I believe through this testimony, I’m going to change people’s lives.” Caleb’s uncle Nathan Swett created a GoFundMe campaign and provides updates often on Caleb’s process. To donate or view it, go to gofundme.com/f/help-caleb-carvalho-recover-from-a-tragic-accident.