(Atlantic) – Residents of Atlantic and Cass County lined the streets of Atlantic to welcome home 17-year old Steele McLaren, who arrived in a multi-vehicle caravan that included his parents, brothers and a fire truck.

Steele – who is an avid duck hunter – was obviously happy to be home, as he blew his duck call and waved to the people. The teen was injured Oct. 25^th, 2020, after he fell out of a moving pickup truck and struck his head on the pavement, while moving a duck blind from one location to another with friends. Since the accident, more than 35-thousand people locally and across the world have followed his progress on the Facebook page Praying for Steele #32strong.

Steele and his brothers arrive in Atlantic (Photo via Praying for Steele #32strong)

His story of recovery has been a catharsis for others with loved ones suffering from a TBI. Steele’s father, Dustin McLaren spoke with KJAN’s Jim Field in February about the outpouring of support.

Dustin said the support, both emotionally and financially, has been like nothing he’s ever seen before.

Barring any setbacks, Steele will continue to recover at home, with his family, friends and others by his side along the way, and the support of thousand of people will likely never meet.