Hit and run accident please help Troy DeLeon’s recovery

On September 3rd, 2024 I received a phone call that has forever changed my life. “Troy and Ash have been in an accident, they’re hurt real bad.”

Gravity ceased to exist in that moment, I flew out the door and rushed over to the scene as quickly as possible. What I saw is permanently etched in my brain; my son’s face unrecognizable and his leg facing the wrong direction. Ash is no where in sight. Their bikes and helmet lay in the crosswalk. The SUV that hit them fled the scene. He never called 911, not even anonymously. This man, Dennis Trost left those boys to die, literally. And then, tried to clean / repair his vehicle but I’ll get back to that.

Ash unresponsive was taken first and transported to ORMC. Troy’s ambulance was to follow but once EMT found out Troy was 14 they switched their route to Arnold Palmer, a decision I am immensely thankful for.

Troy went straight to the trauma unit where he and his belongings were put in a medical shower due to being drenched in gasoline and then sent for cat-scan and x-rays.

The X-rays showed a broken mid-shaft femur fracture (bone was protruding through the skin) fractured tibia, and left segmental fibula fracture. All of which required emergency surgery. He was in severe pain and kept asking for two things, water and his friend Ash. Neither of which were possible.

Ashely Nielsen, was sent to ORMC with severe head wounds and trauma. A Good Samaritan, Stephanie stopped to help and even took her own shirt off to try to stop the bleeding and keep pressure on Ash’s head. But, Ash’s trauma was so severe that he went straight into ICU where he has been intubated. We are praying / hoping for miracle.

Again, that man left those boys to die.

I don’t think we would be this angry if he had stopped, called 911 and or stayed with them. Instead he was seen purchasing cleaning supplies and anxiety medication minutes later. Then he was seen and heard inquiring for a vacuum to clean up the glass in his car. All while my son was in horrendous pain and his friend Ash was and still is fighting for his life. Truly Despicable. **Update: Ash did not make it. There are no words to entail this trauma and pain.

I am creating this go fund me to help offset the current and future medical bills Troy and our family will incur. Along with lost wages. **Update: insurance is not willing to cover most of the dental reconstruction.

So far, he has had major surgery to repair the broken fibula. A lengthy hospital stay is in our future. I have not left the hospital since arriving and have not returned to work. Once discharged, Troy will have OT and PT for quite some time. He will also need dental reconstruction for missing and cracked teeth. I am unsure when I will be able to return back to work and or return full time. I will need time off for his current / future care and future appointments (follow up, occupational therapy, physical therapy and emotional therapy.) **Update: have not returned back to work. Fighting insurance companies to cover procedures to piece Troy back together.

We appreciate the outpouring love and support that we have received. I am exceptionally thankful for the utmost care and devotion from the Arnold Palmer Children’s Hospital staff.

Thank you for reading this.

https://www.fox35orlando.com/news/man-arrested-i-drive-hit-and-run-left-2-teens-seriously-injured-fhp

https://www.fox35orlando.com/news/good-samaritan-helps-teen-boys-injured-orlando-hit-and-run-crash.amp

Troy and Ash riding roller coasters back to back. Ash has a separate go fund me. Please share and or support. https://gofund.me/7679bbee

Troy is the oldest of 5. His brothers love and miss him. **Update: they are so happy he is home!

Update: missing and cracked teeth.

Update: I’d love to give him his confidence back!

Update: Ash’s funeral 09/14/24 Troy was one of the six honorary pallbearers. Each boy was given one of Ash’s fishing shirts. He was so loved and is so missed!