On February 25, 2026, our loved one Eric Polkoski was involved in a serious accident and was immediately life-flighted to Essentia Health in Duluth. What started as a normal day turned into a nightmare for Eric and our entire family.

Eric suffered a severe scalp laceration that required emergency surgery — doctors stitched up the entire side of his head. He has a completely black and swollen eye, multiple small broken facial bones, several broken ribs, a partially collapsed lung, and scraping/damage to several of the circular (facet) joints in his spine. There is also brain bruising, and we won’t know the full extent of any long-term effects until he wakes up and can speak.

He is currently heavily sedated with a breathing tube in place to assist him, though he is breathing on his own. The medical team plans to test removing the tube tomorrow. Doctors have already ruled out spinal cord damage and noted that Eric’s “thick skull” likely saved him from even worse injury. He is expected to remain in the hospital for several weeks as they continue monitoring and treating all his injuries.

This has been an incredibly difficult time for the whole family. Lettie is struggling emotionally, the kids are trying to understand what’s happening, and we’re all pulling together to be there for Eric while managing daily life. Travel back and forth to Duluth, missed work, childcare, and the mountain of medical bills are already adding up fast.

Eric is a devoted family man, a hard worker, and the kind of guy who would drop everything to help anyone in need. Now it’s our turn to help him and his family get through this.

Any amount helps — whether it’s $5, $25, or more — it will go directly toward:

• Hospital and surgery bills

• Lost wages during recovery

• Travel and lodging for family visits

• Childcare and household expenses while Eric heals

Please share this page with your friends and family. Every share, prayer, and donation means the world to us as Eric fights to get home.

Thank you from the bottom of our hearts.

—The Polkoski Family ❤️