Rally for a Family in Crisis After Hit-and-Run

In September, I was involved in a traumatic hit-and-run accident in Millington, when an 18-wheeler struck my vehicle while I was en route to pick up materials for my roofing business. The truck, hauling cotton, passed me at an alarming speed. The side of the trailer made contact with my vehicle, throwing me off the road. In a split second, I swerved to avoid hitting a nearby brick house, but the rear end of the truck collided with my vehicle again, slamming me into the driver’s side window and knocking me unconscious.

When I regained consciousness, I found myself lying in a field, alone, in severe pain. I called 911, and the police and ambulance arrived shortly thereafter. I was informed that the truck driver had fled the scene, leaving me stranded and injured. Despite my physical agony and uncertainty about my future, I couldn’t stop thinking about the well-being of the other driver, a reflection of my nature to always put others first. However, the devastating reality that someone could leave me for dead filled me with anger and sorrow.

I was transported to The Med in Memphis, where I received care from an incredible team of professionals who did their best to ease my pain. My injuries included severe whiplash, excruciating headaches, and an inability to move my neck. The pain was overwhelming, and for weeks, I struggled to function, unable to care for my family as I had before. As the sole provider for my wife and two children—one of whom has autism—I felt helpless and defeated. My wife, a stay-at-home mom, depends on me, but in my weakened state, I couldn’t care for her or my children in the way I used to.

Despite my best efforts, the situation worsened. Around Christmas, I suffered a severe setback, and doctors confirmed that I likely had a bulging or herniated disc in my neck, causing debilitating pain and loss of feeling in my right shoulder. Physical therapy could no longer address the problem, and the emotional toll of the constant pain, compounded by depression, took its toll on me. I became withdrawn, feeling invisible, and at times, even contemplating whether I could continue on.

The financial strain, compounded by the loss of my physical capabilities, further weighed me down. We couldn’t afford the medical care I needed, and the holiday season was a painful reminder that I couldn’t provide for my family as I had in the past. Meanwhile, the person responsible for the accident was living their life as though nothing had happened, while I was left to struggle.

However, through it all, I have felt the support of my church family, who have stepped in to help with bills and provide emotional support. I am grateful for their kindness, as without them, my family and I would not have made it this far. I also find strength in my faith and pray every day for healing, forgiveness, and the strength to carry on. I am working with doctors and physical therapists, but the path to recovery is still uncertain. Every day is a battle, and yet, I remain hopeful.

I pray that no one else has to experience the kind of pain and hardship that my family and I have endured due to someone else’s actions. But I trust that God has a plan for me and that through this struggle, I am growing closer to Him and my faith. My prayer is that I can heal, both physically and emotionally, and return to my family as the man I once was.