On Thursday, 2/19, around 1 PM, my grandfather drove me and my boyfriend to the Toledo Bus Station to drop him off. After saying our goodbyes, I walked back to the car, only to find it missing. My grandfather’s shoes, glasses, and phone were scattered on the ground. Witnesses told me he had been beaten and carjacked. The attacker didn’t fully remove him from the car he was still strapped in his seatbelt as the car was driven away, dragging him for half a mile. He was torn from his clothes and left in the road, while the attacker crashed the car and fled. In a shocking turn, the attacker ran onto I-75, jumped the concrete barrier, and was struck and killed by an oncoming semi-truck.

My grandfather’s car was totaled, and he suffered severe injuries. His breathing was unstable, his body was badly scraped, he had deep gashes in his head, and his kidneys began failing. At 67, he was still working and living paycheck to paycheck, doing his best to make ends meet. He fought so hard in the hospital, but despite everything the doctors did, he passed away on Monday, 2/23, surrounded by family.

He always told me I was his world. Now ours feels completely shattered without him.

We are now asking for help not only with the medical expenses and household bills, but also with funeral and burial costs, as well as the loss of his vehicle. Anything you can give will help our family get through this incredibly painful and unexpected time. We need all the support and prayers we can get.

Thank you for caring about my grandfather and our family.