'It didn't seem like it was real': Father recalls devastating crash that took 11-year-old son's life

Hayden Field, 11, was enjoying a day with his dad when a crash on the Pennsylvania Turnpike cut his life short.

"He was my world. He my best friend. He was my right hand man, my everything," Denny Field said.

Denny has been hospitalized since the crash, which happened near New Stanton on April 26.

It had been a perfect day, with young Hayden going with his father to work.

"We were going to take a ride around the section and show him the roadway I patrol," Denny said.

That was just before 2 p.m. A short time later the truck Denny was driving rear-ended a tractor-trailer. Hayden died before paramedics arrived.

"When I saw him, that he passed away in the truck, I couldn't deal with it," Denny said through tears.

Denny's injuries were so severe, he couldn't make it to his son's viewing or funeral. He credits the nurses and other staff for helping him through.

"They actually stood by my bed and held my hand and let me talk about my son. They went so far above their jobs," he said,

Denny said he doesn't remember much about the crash scene, other than seeing his son and seeing the way first responders handled everything.

"I'd like to thank them for taking care of my son and treating him with dignity and respect," he said.

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