The Palkovic family is well known and deeply loved throughout our Austintown community.

On Sunday, August 9, 2026, Buzz Palkovic suffered a devastating accident involving a fall. He sustained a fractured vertebrae, bilateral tibial plateau fractures, a shattered left knee, and a dislocated right knee with an additional tibial fracture.

Buzz underwent emergency surgery the night of the accident and currently has external fixators on both legs to stabilize his bones. His extensive medical team must wait for the swelling to subside before proceeding with the next two surgeries on his legs. He is also required to wear a back brace for the next 3–4 months.

At this time, Buzz is completely bedridden and unable to bear any weight on his lower body. Following his surgeries, he will face an extensive stay in an aggressive acute physical rehabilitation facility, potentially lasting weeks to months. He will have to learn to walk again. It is also still unknown whether he has suffered damage to any ligaments or tendons, which could present additional challenges throughout his recovery.

This has been devastating for Buzz’s wife, Nicole, and their three children, Blake, Brooke, and Brock. The amount of time Buzz will be unable to work is currently unknown, and the road ahead will be long, painful, and challenging for the entire family.

We are asking our community to come together and support the Palkovic family during this life-changing crisis. Any donation, no matter the amount, will help ease the financial burden of medical expenses, rehabilitation, and the many unexpected costs they will face during Buzz’s recovery.

Please consider donating and sharing this fundraiser. Your generosity, prayers, and support mean more to the Palkovic family than words can express.