Utah boy with love for Hot Wheels to get own car design


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AMERICAN FORK — We first told you about Ethan Carnesecca when he was sick in the hospital. His mom says his love of Hot Wheels cars helped him pull through. Ethan is back home now in American Fork with a basement full of donated Hot Wheels.

"We've received cars from all over the world," said Michele Carnesecca, Ethan's mom.

Ethan sat on the ground Friday playing with them. His family estimates they've received about 3,000.

You could say Ethan is in Hot Wheels heaven. His bumpy road started about one month ago when he developed pneumonia. Fluid filled his lungs and he ended up in the intensive care unit.

"It's a miracle that he's running around now," Michele Carnesecca said. His mom says it was the Hot Wheels that got him through all the tests, shots and procedures.

"I thought I was listening to my child die," she said.

Family friend and local blogger John Lambert posted about Ethan's illness.

"You never could have predicted this would happen, " Lambert said.

Although Ethan is back home, the cars keep coming by the truckload. Some aren't in packages because a lifetime of memories sit atop the tiny wheels.


This has just proven to me and my family, friends and neighborhood that there is a lot more good in the world than bad.

–Michele Carnesecca


"Dear Ethan," Michele read from a letter they received accompanying some tiny cars. "I want you to have my dad's collection of Hot Wheels. He passed away and I want you to now share it with your dad."

Ethan's story even reached famous drivers of real cars.

"This is the car NASCAR driver Richard Petty sent him," said Michele as she showed off the autographed toy. "He signed it and everything."

But perhaps the biggest surprise of all hasn't even arrived yet.

"Mattel has gotten wind of this," Lambert said.

The maker of Hot Wheels contacted Lambert and said they have a special project in mind.

"An official Hot Wheels model with Ethan's name and decoration," Lambert said. "The design team is working on that."

You won't be able to find it in any store.

"It's a huge deal," Lambert said. "It will be an unobtainable model. A priceless model. It will be the only one in existence."

Ethan's mom says their family has also received something else that's priceless.

"This has just proven to me and my family, friends and neighborhood that there is a lot more good in the world than bad."

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